RORO - Under Sail
Here is something unique in today’s “global” economy. The concept of an transatlantic Roll On/Roll Off (RORO) operation under sail power (no doubt with machinery backup/assist). Will the weather and scheduling demands cooperate?
The sizing itself of the pilot project ships is supposed to set us apart from the competition with the main lines which benefit from a large scale effect. As a result, the transatlantic route operated by NEOLINE will focus on a niche market, offering new capacities in terms of type of freight (rolling and out of gauge freight) and destination ports.
The first shipping route plans to connect St-Nazaire to the East Coast of the United States as from 2021, calling at St-Pierre and Miquelon on the return voyage. The objective is to operate this line with two vessels thus offering a fortnight service.
The operational conditions on this route were simulated over 5 years of meteorological history, using a routing study conducted with D-ICE Engineering. The results validated the prospects for bunker savings while confirming that voyage schedules would be met at a commercial speed of 11kt.
Having spent numerous days years ago in the North Atlantic, on those proposed route lines, assisting transatlantic commerce, I wish them success. This will be an interesting project to watch.
/fl