Williwaw : 5 carbon-free container ships

The decarbonization of shipping is a major challenge in the ecological transition, and Zéphyr & Borée is banking on wind propulsion to achieve it.

 

 

Under the impetus of a group of pioneering shippers, Zéphyr et Borée plans to launch two shipping lines from Europe to the USA.

 

 

The 5 container ships are equipped with rigid sails, enabling them to offer a carbon footprint 80% lower than that of existing services, for more ecological and sustainable shipping.

 

 

These two transatlantic shipping lines are the result of the commitment of a group of shippers who, in 2022, launched a call for tenders with a view to being offered a low-carbon shipping service to the US. Zéphyr & Borée was able to propose reliable, innovative vessels, equipped with rigid wings and dual diesel-methanol propulsion.

 

 

Specifications :

Overall length : 159.95 m

Overall beam : 26.80 m

Summer draught : 8.00 m

Capacity (TEU) :
In hold : 307
On deck : 380
Total : 1304

Crew : 24

Passengers : 12

Sails : 6 x 324 m²

Average transit time : 15 days

Frequency : weekly

Propulsion : hybrid (50% thermal / 50% wind)

Combustible : dual fuel diesel - méthanol

Williwaw container ship, equipped with folded rigid wings, arrives in port

We're convinced that sail-powered cargo ships are the future for decarbonization of shipping. Wind propulsion can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of a logistics chain, while remaining efficient in terms of lead times.

Lines :

Map of Zephyr et Borée's shipping routes: Anvers and Le Havre, and Geneva, to Philadelphia and Charleston.

Transit times Eastbound (at a speed of 11 knots) :

Antwerp | Philadelphia : 16 days

Antwerp | Charleston : 19 days

Le Havre | Philadelphia : 14 days

Le Havre | Charleston : 17 days

Transit times Westbound (at a speed of 11 knots) :

Philadelphia | Antwerp : 21 days

Charleston | Antwerp : 19 days

Philadelphia | Le Havre : 18 days

Charleston | Le Havre : 16 days

This project was financed by the French government as part of France 2030.

Funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan