The freight forwarding unit of DHL is partnering with France’s Vela company to carry shipments across the Atlantic on custom-built sailboats.
DHL Global Forwarding plans to use wind-propelled cargo trimarans made by Vela beginning next year that can carry 415 metric tons of goods, five times more cargo space than an airplane but five times smaller in length than a typical container ship. As the vessels seek the best wind conditions, the new cargo boats could take up to two weeks to cross the Atlantic, compared to nine days on a standard container ship.
“As a leading player in the global logistics industry, DHL is committed to supporting the decarbonization of transport and expanding the range of solutions available to its customers,” said Laurent Terreyre, chief executive of DHL Global Forwarding France. The wind-powered boats could also be cost-effective in light of oil prices.
The first commercial shipments on the trans-Atlantic route will set sail in 2027 with DHL cargo alongside goods from other companies that are booking space.
IAM Member Impact: The new service is unlikely to impact the international moving industry, but it is a shipping trend worth following.