SAINT-MALO, France — If Yann Jourdan had remained onboard traditional fuel-powered cargo ships, he estimates his salary would be about four times greater than what he currently earns as the captain of a sailing cargo vessel that harnesses wind energy to transport goods across the Atlantic. However, the sacrifice in his income brings him a profound sense of fulfillment. He cherishes the idea of explaining to his 3-year-old son, Marcel, how he contributed to decreasing the shipping industry’s significant carbon footprint.
The global merchant fleet, comprising over 100,000 vessels, is crucial for transporting more than 80% of the world’s trade. Nonetheless, this sector contributes roughly 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. With predictions suggesting a rise in pollution if the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives does not occur swiftly, mariners advocating for wind energy believe that their time has come—once viewed with skepticism, they are now at the forefront of a renaissance for sail-powered cargo transportation.
“It’s our responsibility to demonstrate that it’s viable,” Jourdan stated as he sailed the Grain de Sail II cargo carrier away from the French port of Saint-Malo on a recent autumn afternoon. “For me, it’s simply logical; fossil fuels are finite, whereas wind is a renewable resource.”
Modern technology is indeed revitalizing sailing vessels. The cutting-edge ships like the Grain de Sail II are almost entirely powered by sails. Stretching half the length of a soccer field and capable of carrying 350 tons, the ship uses its diesel engine solely for harbor maneuvers. “Our goal is not just to minimize our carbon footprint, but to eliminate it entirely,” explained Jacques Barreau, who co-founded the Grain de Sail company with his twin brother, Olivier. They funded their first sail-powered vessel, Grain de Sail I, using profits from their chocolate and coffee business located in western France.
Featuring an aluminum hull, impressive carbon-fiber masts, and advanced systems for managing sails, Grain de Sail II exemplifies a modernized successor to traditional sailing clippers. Its fastest journey across the Atlantic to New York spanned 17 days, with a mere 15 days for the return trip to Saint-Malo. “This is a completely new paradigm for sailing,” Barreau indicated, envisioning a future filled with numerous sailing cargo vessels of this type, and possibly even larger.
Efforts to incorporate wind power extend to fuel-efficient systems added to conventional engine-driven cargo ships, including the large 340-meter Sea Zhoushan. This vessel, which transports iron ore and was constructed in China, is outfitted with significant rotating devices to capture wind energy efficiently. Once operational in 2021, the Brazilian mining corporation Vale predicted innovative fuel savings of up to 8% on voyages lasting around 40 days between Brazil and China.
Norsepower, the manufacturer of the rotor systems, has successfully installed them on 16 ships since 2014 and has agreements in place for another 13 vessels. While wind-assisted vessels continue to represent a small segment of the total fleet, they are increasing at an extraordinary rate, according to Clarksons Research, which monitors shipping metrics. Their records reveal that 165 cargo ships are currently employing wind energy to varying extents or are scheduled to receive wind-assisted technology.
Moreover, from 2025 onwards, larger cargo ships within the European Union will incur costs for their emissions and follow new regulations designed to encourage low-carbon fuels. Such regulations may further enhance the attractiveness of wind power. “Wind-assisted propulsion is a critical component of our transition toward sustainable shipping practices,” asserted Bryan Comer, a leader in the efforts to decarbonize shipping at the International Council on Clean Transportation. “We already know its effectiveness since the historical foundation of shipping relied on wind energy.”
However, wind is not as easily controlled as conventional engines. French shipping company Neoline acknowledges that when its new 136-meter carrier commences operations in 2025, it will resort to utilizing its diesel engine when wind conditions do not align with their target of 13-day crossings between the French port of Saint-Nazaire and Baltimore, located on the U.S. eastern coastline. “Our goal is punctuality,” emphasized Neoline’s president, Jean Zanuttini. “Early 20th-century sailing sometimes faltered due to delays, not speed.” He also acknowledged the need for a hybrid approach, anticipating that approximately 30% of their energy would stem from diesel.
Nevertheless, the Neoliner’s cutting-edge sails—crafted from fiberglass, diverging from traditional canvas—are expected to dramatically reduce fuel consumption, marking another significant stride for wind energy in shipping. “We view this as a learning opportunity that will lead to improvement,” Zanuttini remarked, looking ahead to future designs of larger and increasingly specialized vessels.
After launching the Grain de Sail I in 2020 and the Grain de Sail II earlier this year, the Barreau brothers are now focusing on funding for a third vessel, Grain de Sail III. This larger ship is meant to double the cargo capacity of its predecessor and significantly decrease operational costs, with a hopeful launch by 2027. Regardless, the firm confirms that their foundational strategy remains the same: the larger ship will still rely exclusively on wind propulsion, except during port navigation. Their commitment to maintaining a minimal carbon footprint contrasts sharply with the emissions associated with traditional fuel-powered shipping.
With a distinctive pirate-like appearance, complete with a golden ring in his left ear and a bushy beard, Jourdan meticulously inspects the rigging of Grain de Sail II, emphatically declaring his dedication to sailing without resorting to fossil fuels. “For me now, it’s a dirty business,” he stated. “I aspire to engage in work that I can truly take pride in.”