BUREAU VERITAS CLASSED THE WORLD’S FIRST COMMERCIAL SAILING RORO SHIP

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) is pleased to have successfully classed the Neoliner Origin, a new-generation wind-powered roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel developed by French shipping company Neoline. Built by RMK Marine shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, the Neoliner Origin is the first commercial sailing Ro-Ro cargo vessel of this size and capacity to enter service.

The 136-meter-long and 24.2-meter-wide vessel features two 76-meter-high foldable Solidsail carbon masts developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, supporting nearly 3,000 square meters of rigid sails. It offers 1,200 linear meters of cargo space (equivalent to 265 TEU) with a maximum cargo weight capacity of 5,300 tons. The vessel can also accommodate 12 passengers in six double cabins.

BV oversaw classification throughout the project, including design assessment, construction surveys, and final trials. The ship was officially delivered on September 26, following completion of adjustments and performance testing. She departed from Turkey on September 29 and is scheduled to arrive at the Loire estuary for her inauguration and final preparations. Departure for her first transatlantic crossing, from Montoir-de-Bretagne to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Baltimore, is planned for mid-October.

The vessel will drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions on an ocean crossing compared to conventional Ro-Ro ships.

Jean Zanuttini, President of Neoline, said: "Neoline is thrilled to have taken delivery of Neoliner Origin, a unique and innovative vessel considering her environmental performance objectives. We wish to thank all the technical partners for the successful building of this project, and notably Bureau Veritas for their support that insured the regulatory compliance of the ship."