The new container ship is 91.3 m long, equipped with 3 hard sails with a total area of 1,050 m2 and can carry 210 standard containers.
Wind -powered containers can automatically unload goods by integrated crane system. Image: RMK Marine/LinkedI
French Windcoop Company ordered Turkish Company RMK Marine to build container trains running on the world’s first wind in the world, Interesting Engineering On 4/4 reported. The ship is designed to transport goods between France and Madagascar. The manufacturing process is expected to start in 2026, then handed over and put into use in May 2027.
“Like the Christmas Origin ship that was once lowered by RMK Marine, the new ship will equip green and sustainable transport technologies. It is sponsored through Windcoop’s cooperation model, the ship will help shape the future of transportation by wind,” RMK Marine said.
The new container ships will operate with hard sails instead of traditional fuel pushing engines. The total sail area is 1,050 m2, including three hard sails, each with an area of 350 m2. The ship is 91.3 m long, capable of carrying 210 TEU (6 m standard containers) and has 40 sockets for refrigerated containers. It is expected to reach an average cruise speed of 16.7 km/h, helping to reduce 60% of carbon emissions compared to traditional carbon ships.
One of the main challenges when designing the ship is the balance between the push of the wind and the activities related to the goods. Windcoop chose to design an open cargo lid with asymmetrical sails and cranes facing the sail. This design ensures that the ship is stable while still allowing the loading and unloading of goods to be fully automatically automatically. The total shipbuilding cost is estimated at 31.5 million USD.
Wind -powered containers will transport items such as aquatic products, cocoa, vanilla, spices, essential oils and textiles from Madagascar to France. In the opposite direction, goods will include retail goods, glass goods, medical supplies and textiles.
Windcoop chose the first service route focusing on the auxiliary ports that were often overlooked due to the limited loading and loading capacity. Thereby, the company aims to increase access, decrease depending on road transport and reduce carbon emissions.
Windcoop planned to build a second ship to ensure the frequency of service each month for the route between France and Madagascar. The company also wants to expand the network by adding sea routes to suit the needs of the local economy.