Longchamp Reserves Space on Neoline’s Sail-Powered Cargo Ships

French handbag manufacturer Longchamp has secured space on board NEOLINE’s new sailing cargo ships.

Under the agreement, Longchamp has committed to shipping at least 50% of its annual container volume between France and the United States when the first ship begins sailing in the first half of 2024.

Founded in 2015, NEOLINE is developing two 136-meter sail-powered cargo ships that will use optional weather routing to reduse emissions by up to 90% compared to a conventional vessel of the same size. The vessels will operate on a transatlantic pilot line connecting St-Nazaire to the U.S. East Coast. With 4200 square meters of sail area, the vessels hope to achieve a commercial sailing speed of 11 knots.

“We are very proud of this agreement concluded with Longchamp aiming at transporting its leather goods in containers from France to the United States,” said Jean Zanuttini, President of NEOLINE Développement. “This agreement with a prestigious local player will also allow them to load in a port closer to their production sites.”

Within the framework of the agreement, NEOLINE will provide Longchamp with bi-monthly service once the two ships are in operation. After a first test phase targeting 50% of its annual export volume, Longchamp will study the possibility of increasing the share of freight on NEOLINE vessels.

“We are particularly pleased with this partnership with Neoline, which, in a very poetic way, allows us to reduce our carbon emissions,” said Jean Cassegrain, Chief Executive of Longchamp. “This project is close to my heart because my father, who developed Longchamp for more than half a century, made numerous transatlantic voyages in the 1950s which contributed to his passion for the sea.”

 Longchamp joins other brands including Renault Group, Beneteau Group, Manitou Group, Michelin, Jas Hennessy & Co, and Clarins, who have already secured space on the NEOLINE vessels.

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