Tom Barlow-BrownAustal Limited has announced a contract to design and construct a 66.8-metre wind-powered cargo trimaran for Vela Transport of Bayonne, France.
The new vessel, priced between A$40–$45 million, will be built at Austal Philippines in Balamban, Cebu, and is slated for delivery by mid-2026.
The trimaran, based on a concept by VPLP of Paris and equipped with a sailing system from MerConcept, represents a significant advancement in sustainable maritime technology. Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal Limited, highlighted the company’s role in this pioneering project. ‘Austal is delighted to be partnering with Vela to deliver this unique, sailing cargo trimaran – a striking looking vessel that will transport high-value goods across the Atlantic Ocean using 100% wind power,’ Gregg said.
The vessel promises numerous advantages over traditional cargo ships. According to designers the trimaran design ensures ample cargo space and superior seakeeping abilities, while its shallow draft allows access to secondary ports, facilitating direct routes to factories and warehouses. ‘Austal’s proven experience in trimaran design offers Vela a large cargo space and greater flexibility while delivering superior seakeeping, efficiency, and performance,’ Gregg added.
A key feature of the trimaran is its reliance on wind for propulsion, expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 99% compared to conventional container ships. This environmental benefit aligns with the increasing push for sustainability in maritime transport. ‘The use of sails for main propulsion, rather than conventional diesel-powered engines, is also expected to deliver a 99% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared with conventional container ships,’ Gregg noted.
Vela Transport’s CEO, Pierre-Arnaud Vallon, said: ‘We are not just constructing a ship with Austal, we are helping to shape the future of international maritime transport. With our strategic shipbuilding partner Austal, we are pioneering the way for an era where ships harness clean and inexhaustible energy. This sailing cargo trimaran, the first and largest of its kind, symbolizes our vision of a world where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.’
The project’s complexity was underscored by Vela Transport’s COO, Pascal Galacteros, who commented: ‘The construction of this unique vessel represents an unprecedented technical challenge. We are tackling it with pride and determination, relying on Austal’s globally recognised expertise in multi-hulls and aluminium shipbuilding, and integrating the wind sailing expertise from our partners, VPLP and MerConcept,’ Galacteros stated.
Austal was chosen for the project following a comprehensive nine-month global tender process. ‘The trust that emerged from our interactions with the Austal teams in Australia and Philippines convinced us that we had the best strategic shipbuilding partner for our project,’ Galacteros added.
Austal has a history of delivering large trimarans for commercial and defense operators since 2007, which means the company is well-prepared to take on the project. Both Austal and Vela hope that their collaboration will set a new standard in sustainable shipping and demonstrate the potential of wind power in modern maritime transport.
Image: Austal
Ian Taylor
