French manufacturer Manitou Group has agreed a deal to ship its heavy earth-moving equipment on compatriot Neoline's new sail-powered cargo ro-ro.
The first of these Neoliner vessels is due to sail across the Atlantic to the US from late 2021.
Manitou will load up to 40 machines on to the ship for each trip.
The French group said the move accelerates its ecological transition by choosing a solution that drastically reduces the environmental impact of its exports.
The two companies have been working on the vessel project since 2017.
The deal involves the transport of all aerial work platforms and telehandlers manufactured by Manitou in France. This could top 1,000 machines each year.
The products will be loaded at Saint-Nazaire, bound for Baltimore in the US.
An important step
Augustin Merle, director of logistics and projects at Manitou Group, said the deal was an important step in moving the project forward.
"By engaging with a local partner, we are not only strengthening our regional position, but we are also going to reduce our transport carbon footprint, while guaranteeing reliability of service for our customers in the US and Canada," he added.
The voyages will cut up to 90% of CO2 emissions when compared with a traditional cargoship making an equivalent trip.
Construction of the first 136-metre Neoliner will begin in the coming months.
The ro-ro will be commissioned on a new transatlantic route between St-Nazaire, Baltimore, Halifax, and St-Pierre & Miquelon. A second ship with equivalent specifications will follow as soon as possible to achieve a rate of departure of every two weeks.
Everything in place
Jean Zanuttini, president of Neoline Developpement, added: "By signing this contract, Manitou Group is demonstrating its resolute commitment to the energy transition of its supply chain."
He added: "We are technically and commercially ready to quickly and drastically reduce transatlantic supply chain emissions."
In February, French shipowner Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN) took a stake in Neoline.
MN will help Neoline finance the two Neoliner newbuildings at French shipbuilder SAS Neopolia Mobility.
Neoline was founded in 2015 and already has backing from shippers Renault and Beneteau.
The ships will run at 11 knots with 4,200 square meters of sail area.
Neoline wants to become the first shipowner to fully embrace energy efficiency by relying on wind power as its primary energy source.
