France – USA Line
100% Wind-Powered, Fast & Reliable
48,000 Tons/Year
VELA operates a unique transatlantic shipping line, connecting France directly to the United States in under 15 days.
Our innovative solution delivers cargo two to four times faster than conventional ocean freight, while ensuring reliability, security and strict cold chain management to the highest standards – including GDP Pharma certification.
Today, this is the most decarbonized way to cross the Atlantic, with a target line capacity of 48,000 tons per year.
Total Capacity
30,000 pallets/year each way
Capacity
600 Euro-pallets per week
Departures
1 sailing per week
Impact Reduction
Over 96% reduction in propulsion emissions (certified by Carbone4 vs. ADEME baseline)
Temperature Control
2°C–8°C / 15°C–20°C holds
GDP Pharma certified
Transit Time
Less than 15 days (loading – crossing – unloading)
Reliability
We partner with experienced port teams outside major hubs to ensure speed, security and on-time arrivals/departures
Target frequency
1 départure / week
Fleet Expansion
5 vessels on the France–USA line from 2026 to 2028
- Our ports are ISPS-certified secure, and our partners specialize in high-value goods.
- Cargo holds are locked, monitored, and under 24/7 surveillance; VELA personnel remain onboard at all times during transit.
- We operate on a just-in-time model to minimize wait times and reduce intermediaries.
- Enhanced security and pallet-level traceability options are available for our most demanding clients.
Vela Trimaran
The airplane of the seas
A World First in Maritime Innovation: Vela has engineered a groundbreaking vessel: a cargo trimaran at the cutting edge of innovation, combining high performance, exceptional stability and minimal environmental impact.
Dimensions
67 m Length
25m Beam
Air Draft
61m
conDesigned to pass under New York’s bridges
Average Speed
14 knots
On the transatlantic route
Cargo Capacity
600 pallets
of goods / 410 metric tons
Sail Area
1552m²
of sails
Renewable Energy
240m²
de solar panels
2
hydro-generator
Designed by the Best: VPLP and MerConcept. Our trimaran is the first of its kind, crafted by world-leading experts VPLP and MerConcept. Stable, fast and environmentally responsible, it operates without ballast tanks – eliminating the environmental risks of invasive species. Thanks to its advanced sails and cutting-edge technology, the Vela trimaran sets a new benchmark for energy efficiency, harnessing wind power without compromising on stability or speed.
Our Technical Partners
Vessels and Social Standards
Meeting the Highest Merchant Marine Requirements
Safety & Security Onboard
Our cargo trimarans are built to the strictest merchant marine standards. They comply with all major international IMO conventions (SOLAS, COLREG, MARPOL, STCW, ISM, ISPS), ensuring a high level of safety for crew, cargo, and navigation.
Social Responsibility for Seafarers
As French-flagged vessels, we fully adhere to International Labour Organization requirements and national regulations, guaranteeing fair, stable and respectful working conditions for our crew.
High-Precision Weather Routing
Navigation is optimized in real time through advanced weather routing by our teams, in partnership with MerConcept-renowned experts in offshore racing.
This translation maintains the technical rigor and professional tone expected by U.S. maritime and logistics decision-makers, emphasizing both operational excellence and social responsibility.
Why a trimaran?
The Vela trimaran is far more than a traditional sailing vessel. Its unique design combines speed, stability, and safety while minimizing environmental impact.
Speed & Performance
Cutting-Edge Technology Inspired by Offshore Racing
SPEED
The VELA trimaran, powered 100% by wind, is faster and more efficient in both light and strong winds – maximizing decarbonization. Together with our strategic partners MerConcept and VPLP, we have pushed performance studies as far as those done for the America’s Cup. Every sail and every wind configuration has been modeled in 3D to maximize the vessel’s efficiency.
The result?
A trimaran capable of reaching an average speed of 14 knots – the same as modern container ships – but powered solely by the wind. This is a true revolution in sustainable maritime transport. Our trimaran is engineered to harness wind from any direction, allowing it to maintain consistent speed while ensuring minimal onboard energy consumption for operations.
This translation maintains the technical rigor, commercial appeal, and innovative positioning required for U.S. logistics professionals and brand decision-makers. If you need further adaptation for a specific industry or more SEO optimization, let me know.
Stability & Safety
Enhanced Stability in an Unstable World
- SAFETY
- MANEUVERABILITY
- OPERATIONS
Unlike monohulls, the Vela trimaran sails flat, offering natural stability and minimal heel. This ensures greater comfort and safety for both crew and cargo – especially for sensitive goods – by avoiding the 10–20 degree heel typical of monohulls.
The trimaran’s design significantly increases our efficiency during loading and unloading, with nearly all cargo positioned on a single level.
The broader working platform of a trimaran also provides a more comfortable and safer environment for handling maneuvers efficiently.
Environmental Impact
A Trimaran Designed to Minimize Its Ecological Footprint at Every Step
- CO₂ EMISSIONS
- BIODIVERSITY
Audited by Carbone4, the Vela solution has demonstrated – through life cycle analysis – a lower carbon footprint than any other mode of transport over equivalent distances. Its wide platform accommodates over 240 m² (2,583 sq ft) of solar panels, complemented by two hydro-generators beneath the hull. These systems convert wind and water energy into green electricity, enabling us to maintain temperature-controlled holds with minimal environmental impact.
We have also eliminated the use of ballast tanks – a major source of marine pollution and unnecessary weight – while maximizing robustness and safety. This trimaran is the only cargo sail vessel in the world without ballast, setting a new standard for protecting marine ecosystems.
The VELA Advantage
We combine air freight–level service quality with the sustainability of wind-powered ocean shipping, all under the French flag.
Choosing a trimaran was an obvious decision for VELA. We designed this vessel in collaboration with the world’s leading specialists, VPLP and MerConcept, to meet the demands of modern logistics while minimizing environmental impact. The unique combination of speed, stability and safety makes this vessel an essential asset for shippers seeking to reduce their footprint without compromising on logistics performance.
Future Vela Trimaran
Routes and Sailings
Our first vessel, currently under construction, will be operational in Fall 2026. Backed by leading investors in both the United States and France, we plan to expand our fleet to five vessels by 2028, enabling weekly departures. Our goal: to transport up to 48,000 tons of goods per year, providing our clients with a high-performance logistics solution while drastically reducing their environmental impact.