Wallenius Wilhelmsen is planning to have a wind-powered pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) up and running in 2025.
The Orcelle Wind design is the Oslo-listed operator's second prototype in six months for a cargo-carrying sail-ship.
The vessel will cut emissions by up to 90% compared to the most eco-friendly PCTCs operating today, the company said.
A contract should be ready for signing with a shipyard by mid-2022.
"Since 2008, we have been able to reduce CO2 intensity by 33%, which is a significant step," chief executive Craig Jasienski said.
Big step forward
"But the journey towards zero emissions requires great strides forward. We believe the Orcelle Wind is one of them."
In September last year, Wallenius Wilhelmsen said it hoped to launch a 200-metre ro-ro car carrier called Oceanbird by the end of 2024.
The ship will carry up to 7,000 cars across the Atlantic in 12 days. A regular car carrier would complete the voyage in eight days.
The Orcelle Wind design builds on this concept.
The specification has not been finalised, but the vessel could carry the same amount of cars as the Oceanbird.
Breakbulk capacity
The unit will also transport heavy machinery and breakbulk cargo.
The length should be around 220 metres, with a beam of 40 metres.
Speeds of 10 to 12 knots are planned.
"Orcelle Wind will be our technical and operational test bed for zero-emission innovation, where we can assess and develop various zero-emission fuels and technology," Erik Noeklebye, chief operating officer of shipping services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said.
French company Neoline is hoping to have a sail-powered ro-ro carrying cars across the Atlantic by the end of this year.
