Michelin tires will be transported under sail

MICHELIN selects French startup NEOLINE for innovative carbon-free shipping services. Namely:

- obligation to carry pneumatic tires on the Halifax (Canada) / Saint-Nazaire - Montoire-de-Bretagne (France) line as soon as the first cargo sailing yacht is put into service;

- a test initiative to decarbonize Michelin's logistics operations.

Determined to reduce CO2 emissions from its logistics activities, the Michelin Group recently signed a transport commitment with NEOLINE.

NEOLINE's decarbonized cargo service is based on the use of clean and renewable wind energy as the main propulsion system for its 136 meter cargo ships with 4,200 square meters of sails.

It is an innovative and unique solution, open to all shippers, that will reduce the CO2 emissions associated with transatlantic shipping by 90%.

The first concrete step of the Michelin Group on the NEOLINE pilot line from Halifax (Canada) to Saint-Nazaire (France) is planned for 2023

Pierre-Martin Huet, Michelin's supply chain director, says:

“The transport commitment signed by Michelin concerns the transport of tires loaded in containers by sailing cargo ships from Halifax (Canada) to Saint-Nazaire-Monoir-de-Bretagne (France) on a pilot line opened by NEOLINE, which will also serve the Seine Archipelago. -Pierre and Miquelon, as well as Baltimore (USA).

NEOLINE plans to open its transatlantic line with the first operational vessel in 2023. With the arrival of the second vessel, scheduled in a year, the Michelin group will gradually entrust NEOLINE with at least 50% of the group's containers transported on this line.

Like the group's companies with ambitious targets to achieve zero CO2 emissions by 2050, Michelin intends to test new solutions to decarbonize its logistics operations.

This initiative and a new partnership are driving innovation in the carbon-free transport space.

This first step in carbon-free shipping is fully in line with Michelin's CSR operations strategy.

It will help achieve the goal of 15% CO2 emissions reductions in logistics in absolute terms between 2018 and 2030. ”

“We are honored to welcome aboard the Michelin Group of Companies an emblematic French player firmly committed to innovation and sustainable mobility.

Jean Zanuttini, President of NEOLINE:

“This first commitment goes to the East (from North and South America to Europe) and complements the already completed portfolio of orders to the West (from Europe to North and South America).

With our cargo sailing vessels, we are developing a more sustainable mode of transport, adapted to the current economic and logistical realities of shippers and not relying on fossil fuels. ”

Jean Zanuttini adds: "Together with partners, we are currently working on various options for the early start of construction of our first vessel."

With this new commitment, NEOLINE is positioning itself as an ambassador for the energy transformation of supply chains for major French industrial leaders such as Groupe Renault, Groupe Beneteau, Manitou Group, Jas Hennessy & Co and now the Michelin Group.

18.02.2021