It sounds like something out of steampunk, but this is actually planned for 2027. DHL has partnered with the French startup Vela Transport, which is building 67-meter aluminum trimarans.
Each vessel can carry up to 415 tonnes of cargo—roughly five times the payload of a cargo aircraft. According to the companies, the ships will also operate with almost no emissions: up to 99% fewer CO₂ emissions than air freight and up to 90% fewer than conventional container ships.
The initiative certainly looks highly sustainable. However, there are a few important caveats.
Speed. The trimarans can reach a top speed of 14 knots (about 26 km/h). In other words, crossing the Atlantic will take around two weeks. By comparison, a container ship typically takes about nine days, while a cargo plane can make the journey in eight hours.
Route. The vessels won’t sail in a straight line—they follow the wind. If favorable winds aren’t available, delivery times increase. For businesses operating on tight schedules, that’s more of a risk than an advantage.
Emissions claims. The promised 90% reduction compared to sea freight represents a best-case scenario. In reality, emissions depend on the route, weather conditions, and cargo load. For now, the figure sounds more like a marketing claim than a guaranteed outcome.
The first commercial voyage is scheduled for 2027. The sailing vessel will be offered as one shipping option alongside conventional cargo ships. In other words, DHL is simply adding an “eco-friendly, but slower and less predictable” option to its logistics portfolio. At this stage, however, it looks more like a branding initiative than a true alternative to existing freight transport.
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