DHL Explores Familiar Shipping Option: Wind Power

DHL explores familiar shipping option: wind power

Your next fancy face cream or bubbly bottle of imported wine may have made its trip across the Atlantic Ocean on a massive sailboat.  Starting next year, international shipping giant DHL plans to transport certain products from Europe to the United States using a new wind-powered vessel designed by French startup VELA. But the 220-foot-long sailboat is a marked step up from Viking longships or the Mayflower in 1620. Inspired by yacht racing, the…

DHL and VELA to Launch 100% Wind-Powered Transatlantic Shipping in Early 2027

It’s been in the works for a while, but now it’s finally official: DHL and VELA, a French operator of innovative zero-emission cargo trimarans, are set to launch regular freight shipping on routes between the US and France as soon as next year. It’s a major milestone for transatlantic shipping, and he beginning of a new era, focused on a unique, racing-inspired ship. VELA and DHL Global Forwarding France (the... (continue reading...)

DHL to Offer Wind-Powered Ocean Shipping

DHL Global Forwarding announced a new agreement with wind-powered maritime transport company VELA to offer a transatlantic cargo shipping service using wind-powered ships, enabling emissions reductions of up to 99% compared to air freight and up to 90% compared to conventional sea freight. Founded in 2023, France-based VELA develops and operates wind-powered cargo vessels for […]

DHL taps Vela for wind-powered transatlantic cargo service

DHL Global Forwarding has signed up to use wind-powered cargo vessels being developed by French startup Vela. The service is scheduled to start next year, with Vela’s first commercial transatlantic sailings expected in 2027. The French company is developing aluminium trimarans measuring around 67 m in length. Each vessel will be able to carry up …