The Neoliner Origin, a wind-powered roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel developed by French shipping company Neoline, has made its inaugural call at the Port of Zeebrugge. This marks a significant expansion of its transatlantic route, which previously included Montoir, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Baltimore, and Halifax.
Built at RMK Marine shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, the Neoliner Origin completed its first transatlantic crossing last year. CMA CGM, a French container shipping company and stakeholder in Neoline, confirmed the addition of Zeebrugge as a new port of call. The 136-meter vessel is designed to reduce emissions through its wind-assisted propulsion system.
For freight forwarders and shippers, the inclusion of Zeebrugge offers an additional, potentially more environmentally friendly, gateway for Ro-Ro cargo moving between Europe and North America. This could provide alternative routing options and contribute to meeting sustainability targets for supply chains, though capacity and frequency will be key factors for operational planning. The service caters to cargo types typically handled by Ro-Ro vessels, such as vehicles and project cargo.
