CHARTING OUR COURSE

to 100% Wind-Powered Global Shipping

Our Roadmap outlines our findings, vision and mission. Discover how Vela is working to reinvent international shipping to address today’s environmental and social challenges.

to reinvent international shipping

Key Supply Chain

Security

65%

65% of cargo theft and loss incidents in international shipping occur at sea.

Maritime transport is particularly vulnerable to cargo losses and theft, accounting for the majority of reported incidents. Risks are heightened by factors such as piracy and unsecured container access, while air freight benefits from stricter security measures and more rigorous tracking.

Source : Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA)

Price Stability

400%

Freight costs have increased by more than 400% in just two years.

Maritime freight price volatility has reached unprecedented levels, with rate increases sometimes exceeding 400% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This instability makes budgeting complex for CFOs and exposes businesses to greater financial risk, undermining resilience in the face of market fluctuations.

Source : Freightos Baltic Index

Reliability

80%

80% of companies MENTION reliability as a critical factor.

Reliability in ocean shipping has become a major pain point, with frequent delays and unpredictable disruptions. Supply chain directors and CEOs consider reliability essential, and the inability to ensure on-time deliveries jeopardizes strategic and operational planning.

Source : BCG Supply Chain Study

Delivery Times

32%

Only 32% of vessels arrive on schedule.

Delivery timelines are increasingly unpredictable, with fewer than one-third of ships arriving as planned. This directly impacts supply chains, leading to extra costs and growing customer dissatisfaction. Disruptions such as the pandemic, port congestion and major incidents highlight that schedule reliability is now a central challenge for businesses.

Source : Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA)

Cargo Integrity

40%

40% of ocean freight fails to meet required temperature standards.

A significant share of maritime cargo does not meet necessary temperature requirements, especially for sensitive goods. Vela’s GDP Pharma-certified temperature-controlled holds ensure strict compliance with standards, minimizing losses and guaranteeing the integrity of high-value products.

Source : Global Cold Chain Alliance

ESG and Reporting

Greenhouse Gases (GHG): GHGs like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) trap heat in the atmosphere and drive climate change.

Global Transport Impact

25%

TRANSPORT ACCOUNTS FOR ONE-QUARTER OF GLOBAL GHG EMISSIONS

The transport sector is the second-largest GHG emitter after energy production, representing about 25% of global energy-related emissions in 2019.


Source : climatewatch

Maritime Shipping Impact

1000 M.

MARITIME SHIPPING EMITS AROUND 1,000 MILLION TONS OF CO2 ANNUALLY – ABOUT >3% OF GLOBAL GHG EMISSIONS

“If shipping were a country, it would rank among the world’s top ten emitters.”

Source : climatewatch, Le Monde

Air Freight Impact

600 M.

AIR FREIGHT EMITS APPROXIMATELY 600 MILLION TONS OF CO2 PER YEAR.

While air cargo moves only a small fraction of global goods by volume, it is responsible for about 2% of global GHG emissions-between 600 and 1,000 million tons annually.

Source : IATA, OACI

A Climate Emergency

17%

BY 2050, MARITIME SHIPPING COULD REPRESENT 17% OF GLOBAL CO2 EMISSIONS IF NOTHING CHANGES.

The shipping sector accounted for 3% of global CO₂ emissions in 2018, and this share is rising. For ESG leaders and CEOs, reducing this footprint is not only a moral responsibility but also a growing regulatory requirement – essential to meet the expectations of sustainability-minded consumers and investors.

Source : International Maritime Organization (IMO)

Ships emit pollutants like sulfur, particulates and nitrogen oxides, which can have severe health impacts.

Toxic spills and wastewater discharges from ships threaten marine ecosystems and water quality.

Large-scale shipping generates significant underwater noise, endangering thousands of marine mammals.

Ballast water from ships spreads invasive species, threatening local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Tens of thousands of containers are lost at sea each year, contributing to marine pollution and endangering wildlife.

Navigating a Changing

International Standards

1) International Maritime Organization (IMO):

  • Targets a 40% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 (vs. 2008).
  • Carbon neutrality by 2050.

Key conventions: MARPOL (pollution), SOLAS (safety), EEXI/CII (energy efficiency) .

✅ VELA already exceeds these targets, offering 100% wind-powered, zero direct emissions shipping.

2) International Aviation (ICAO):

Aviation aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, but lacks binding interim targets. Air freight remains one of the highest GHG emitters per ton transported.

✅ VELA provides a credible alternative to air freight, delivering premium service with up to 99% lower impact

European Regulations

1) EU Green Taxonomy

Classifies economic activities based on their contribution to the energy transition.

✅ 100% wind-powered shipping is fully aligned, with no fossil fuel use.

2) ETS (Emissions Trading System)

Since 2024, shipowners must pay for CO₂ emission quotas, affecting freight rates.

✅ With VELA: zero quotas, zero extra cost.

3) FuelEU Maritime

From 2025, requirement of a gradual reduction in the carbon content of marine fuels, impacting freight rates.

4) CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

Starting in 2025, CSRD mandates non-financial (social, environmental, climate) reporting for many companies.

✅ VELA supports clients’ ESG strategies with precise data on logistics footprint reduction.

“Reinventing international shipping by drastically reducing its impact.

Our belief: The wind moves the world.

Our philosophy: To transport better, we must respect the sea, the land, people and our customers.


We aim to transform global shipping into a positive force for the planet, radically reducing emissions and social impacts associated with global supply chains. We envision a world where wind-powered navigation is once again the standard, connecting continents in a robust, sustainable, and equitable way.

“ Making the ocean the most sustainable place for freight. ”

We provide businesses with 100% wind-powered ocean shipping that is reliable, high-performing, and minimizes planetary impact – guaranteeing lasting efficiency.

Our mission is to deliver advanced logistics solutions, combining the power of wind with cutting-edge technology to offer sustainable, fast, reliable, secure and economically viable maritime transport. By redefining industry standards, we aim to prove that performance and sustainability can go hand in hand.

“Navigating beyond appearances:
Our approach to reducing your impact”

To achieve this, we are rigorous, precise and transparent in measuring your logistics footprint.
This means thorough analysis, concrete data verified by trusted third parties, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.
Because what isn’t measured can’t be improved.

We have conducted a full life cycle analysis of our solution, and our vessels sail under the French flag.

Our Financial Partners

 

“As an infrastructure investor for over 20 years, I was eager to support Vela from the very early stages of the project, in order to back a tightly-knit team driven by the same values of commitment that I stand for.”
Pascal Marty, Co-founder of Atlante Gestion

 

“I support purpose-driven projects led by teams I truly believe in. All of those ingredients came together at VELA, and I’m proud to have been supporting them since their Series A.”
Benoist Grossmann, Investor

Let’s Change

Book a meeting to discuss how we can transform maritime transport, together.