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Harnessing wind to transport goods and passengers!
The Nantes and Saint-Nazaire region is a technological frontrunner, benefiting from a favourable ecosystem that is helping structure the eco-responsible maritime transport sector. Here, new propulsion systems are being invented to move ships more sustainably, with cutting-edge innovations built on centuries-old maritime know-how.
Today, 90% of global trade is carried by sea, accounting for 3% of global CO₂ emissions. To reduce the sector’s environmental impact, players are developing innovative technologies to decarbonise maritime transport and design ships that are both high-performing and environmentally friendly.
Wind for Goods, the sector’s flagship event
The Wind for Goods event returned to Saint-Nazaire on 19-20 June 2025.
Over two days, this international event has gathered nearly 70 exhibitors and 1,000 visitors, showcasing prototypes of sails and other innovative technologies that will contribute to the decarbonisation of goods transport in the future.
Success stories in sail-powered transport
Airseas: with nearly 90 employees in Nantes, this Airbus spin-off equips commercial ships and container vessels with a giant kite wing, reducing fuel consumption by 20% and lowering GHG emissions.
Neoline: uses clean, renewable wind energy as the main propulsion system for its 136-metre sailing cargo ships, equipped with 4,200 m² of sails. This innovative solution reduces CO₂ emissions by 90% for maritime freight transport.
CWS: based in Saint-Nazaire, CWS operates from a 10,000 m² facility on the former fruit terminal site, producing, assembling, and testing a new generation of rigid, reversible, asymmetrical sails designed to decarbonise shipping. CWS aims to create over 200 direct jobs in Saint-Nazaire by 2025.
Farwind Energy: designs, produces, and operates sail-powered rotor vessels, the first technology to capture offshore wind energy. The kinetic energy is converted into electricity via hydrogenerators beneath the hull.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique (Saint-Nazaire): is developing Solid Sail, a large rigid sail system suitable for propelling large cruise ships.
Michelin: has based its Wisamo teams in Nantes since summer 2022. At the Le Brick building, the Wisamo project is developing an inflatable, retractable, and automated sail wing, adaptable for merchant ships and recreational vessels.
Innovations abound with projects from Zéphyr & Borée (transporting the Ariane rocket), Wisamo, SeaWitlab, Terre Exotique, D-ICE, VPLP, and many more.
Le Brick, centre of excellence in maritime innovation
Located in the Bas-Chantenay district on the banks of the Loire, Le Brick brings together players in the decarbonised maritime sector.
Covering nearly 6,000 m², it provides industries, startups, and SMEs with a workspace tailored to production needs, featuring industrial workshops, office spaces, and meeting areas.
Airseas, Kopadia, and Finsulate are among the first companies established here.
A supportive ecosystem
Competitiveness clusters, associations, engineering schools—an entire support ecosystem serves wind-powered transport businesses in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, including:
- Centrale Nantes, and more.
- Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique
- PASCA
- EMC2 cluster
- Neopolia
- IRT Jules Verne
ENSM (National Maritime Academy)The French Windship Association, based in Nantes, promotes the acceleration of maritime ecological transition by developing and deploying wind propulsion systems for ships.
Additionally, MEET2050, the eco-energy maritime transition institute, dedicated to engineering and technology, has recently set up in Nantes, further enhancing this forward-looking ecosystem.
