Takeaways

• DHL Global Forwarding has partnered with French maritime company VELA to introduce wind-powered ocean shipping for transatlantic cargo.
• The new service aims to reduce emissions by up to 99% compared to air freight and up to 90% compared to conventional sea freight.
• The route will initially connect France and the United States, offering businesses a lower-emission shipping option without compromising delivery reliability.

DHL Global Forwarding has announced a new partnership with French shipping company VELA to launch a DHL wind-powered ocean shipping service for cargo moving across the Atlantic. The collaboration is designed to give businesses a more sustainable shipping option while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The service will use wind-powered cargo vessels developed by VELA, a France-based company established in 2023. Inspired by high-performance offshore racing trimarans, the ships are built to deliver efficient transatlantic shipping with far lower emissions than traditional transport methods.

According to the companies, the service can cut emissions by as much as 99% when compared with air freight and by up to 90% versus conventional ocean freight. The initiative supports growing demand for green logistics solutions as businesses seek cleaner ways to transport goods internationally.

Read More: 7 Game-Changing Sustainable Supply Chain Management Solutions for Greener Operations

The first route will operate direct sailings between Caen-Ouistreham in France and New Haven, Connecticut. DHL and VELA also plan to expand the service by deploying a fleet of five vessels, allowing up to one transatlantic departure each week.

Each voyage will carry up to 600 EU pallets, with an expected transit time of around 15 days. The companies said the shipping schedule is intended to match the reliability, speed, and shipment tracking that customers expect from standard ocean freight services.

As part of the agreement, DHL Global Forwarding France will manage the logistics surrounding the shipments, including transport planning, customs clearance, warehousing, and inland transportation. VELA will be responsible for operating the wind-powered vessels and providing the low-emission freight solution.

Laurent Terreyre, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding France, said the partnership reflects the company's strategy of combining logistics expertise with practical solutions that lower emissions. He added that the collaboration allows DHL to introduce a dedicated wind-powered shipping service while maintaining high standards of customer service.

The new service is aimed at businesses transporting palletized less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo between Europe and the United States. Target industries include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, aerospace, luxury goods, wine, and spirits. To support temperature-sensitive products, the vessels will be equipped with VELA's "CoolSafe" refrigeration system, which will operate primarily using onboard renewable energy.

VELA Managing Director Michaël Fernandez-Ferri said the partnership makes wind-powered freight accessible to more customers and is designed to fit into existing supply chains without requiring major operational changes. He noted that the collaboration combines environmental benefits with dependable logistics performance.

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As companies continue to focus on maritime decarbonization and climate goals, the DHL-VELA partnership highlights how innovative vessel design and renewable energy can help reshape international shipping while supporting global supply chains with more sustainable transport options.

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Source: ESGtoday