VELA to operate the world’s first sailing cargo trimaran powered by 100 percent wind when at sea1 to sail between Europe and the U.S.
Takeda to become the first biopharmaceutical company to ship its products on VELA’s wind-powered trimaran, starting a new era of sustainable shipping in pharma
OSAKA, Japan & CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) and VELA Transport today announced their business partnership, with Takeda set to become the first biopharmaceutical company to transport its products between Europe and the U.S. using VELA’s first-of-its-kind sailing cargo trimaran. VELA designed and will operate a fleet of new generation sailing cargo vessels, powered 100 percent by wind when at sea. Purpose-built to handle pharmaceutical products, VELA will offer reliable, secure and ultra-low-emission sea freight shipping. The maiden voyage is planned for late 2026.
VELA’s new wind-powered sea freight will offer a climate-conscious alternative to other transportation for the pharmaceutical industry – cutting use-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99 percent compared to air freight and up to 90 percent compared to container ships.2 The remaining emissions primarily come from the minimal engine use for maneuvering into harbors. The trimaran will be equipped with CoolSafe by VELA, a Good Distribution Practice (GPD) compliant refrigeration system that is temperature-controlled and powered by renewable energy generated on board. This innovation in maritime transport ensures cold-chain integrity and premium logistics performance required to maintain product safety and quality. This new distribution solution aims to demonstrate that operational excellence and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.
As a leading global biopharmaceutical company, Takeda is focused on building climate resilience into every aspect of its operations and delivery of care, with a commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions throughout its value chain by 2040. VELA intends to achieve delivery times under 15 days for its transatlantic crossings —faster than containerized sea cargo freight—leveraging offshore racing technologies, direct routes and more efficient port operations in secondary ports. Scaling its business by building a fleet of five trimarans by 2028, VELA plans to transport up to 48,000 tons of goods per year.
Due to its by-design stability, the trimaran is expected to be the only cargo sailing vessel in the world that does not use water ballasts, which can transfer invasive species across habitats. The design eliminates the discharge of foreign water, reducing impacts on biodiversity across oceans and aligned with Takeda’s efforts to promote nature conservation in its business activities.
The partnership reflects Takeda’s understanding that planetary health is deeply connected with human health. “We strongly believe that VELA and Takeda share the same passion for innovating and protecting the planet by implementing more sustainable business practices,” said Xavier Baville, head of global distribution and logistics, customer experience at Takeda. “Shipping by sail is an exciting step in supporting Takeda’s distribution and logistics strategy to use more sustainable and efficient modes of transportation. It is a true adventure and motivating for all team members to reestablish sailing cargo shipping lines between Europe and the U.S.”
“We are deeply honored to partner with Takeda, a company whose values, history, and pursuit of excellence inspire us. For VELA, this business partnership carries us far beyond logistics; it brings meaning to our mission,” said Pierre-Arnaud Vallon, CEO of VELA. “Delivering life-transforming treatments across the Atlantic using only the power of the wind is a powerful example of what sustainable business practice can achieve. Together, we are building a new standard for maritime transport: efficient, sustainable, safe, and resilient.”
The trimaran will be built entirely of aluminum—a material that is infinitely recyclable. Right from the design stage, all components have been designed to be dismantled for recycling or reuse, either across other VELA vessels, or for other purposes.
Innovative partnerships like this are critical to accelerating progress on Scope 3 hard-to-abate emissions categories and is part of Takeda’s larger ambition to lead the way in the industry to help decarbonize the pharma supply chain. Takeda is committed to shaping a future where climate-resilient health systems enhance global health and cross-sector collaboration drives progress and innovation for both people and the planet. For VELA this is an exciting milestone in its mission to help decarbonize the sea freight industry.
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1 While under sail at sea, VELA operates propulsion with zero emissions. In port, the vessel complies with all local maritime regulations, requiring engine power using primarily electricity (from battery, solar and hydrogeneration) and marine diesel as a backup. |
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2 The current scope is defined by ADEME and the Smart Freight Centre. VELA measured its impact through an independent Life Cycle Assessment conducted by a third-party. The methodology used accounts for all emissions to provide a clear and comprehensive picture of climate impact. The study concluded for the whole LCA that VELA offers the lowest climate impact of any transport solution available on a comparable route (U.S.-Europe). |
