30 New age nautics

New age nautics

Eco-conscious travelers are taking to the seas.

Since teen climate activist Greta Thunberg sailed across the Atlantic in 2019 to avoid flying on a greenhouse-gas emitting airplane, a growing cohort of individuals and organizations have likewise turned to wind for a more climatefriendly mode of transportation.

In collaboration with the Swedish government and research organizations, Swedish shipbuilder Wallenius Marine is designing a transatlantic car carrier that will be entirely wind-powered, in an effort to help clean up the automotive trade industry. The Oceanbird carrier will have five steel wind sails and the capacity to carry over 7,000 vehicles.

TransOceanic Wind Transport, a cargo company founded in France, aims to build and operate solely wind-powered cargo vessels. The company is in the process of building four such vessels for global trade routes, with the ability to carry 1,100 tonnes of cargo and reduce emissions by 90%.

A new sporting challenge will help to accelerate the transition to cleaner water technologies by promoting electric solutions. The E1 Series is the world's first electric powerboat racing championship, set to take place at a series of coastal locations around the world in 2022. Teams will compete in the Racebird, an electric foiling boat that is inspired by nature. Alongside thrilling races, the Series’ biggest impact will be its sustainable legacy. Organizers will leave behind electric charging infrastructure in every city marina, as well as hosting week-long festivals promoting sustainability.

E1 Series cofounder and CEO Rodi Basso tells Wunderman Thompson Intelligence, “Just as the automotive sector is shifting towards electrification and clean technologies, so must the marine industry, to prevent potentially irrevocable damage being caused to such an important ecosystem for our planet.”

For individuals, a new crop of organizations is making sailing more accessible. Sailcoop is a French company that is setting up a sailboat cooperative; customers can book trips from January 2022. By creating networks of nautical professionals, passengers and shipowners, Sailcoop provides the opportunity to travel locally or internationally by water, guided by private sailors.

Why it’s interesting Land and air travel no longer have the same sheen, as carbon emissions and climate consequences grow by the day. Thoughtful electric- and wind-powered nautical designs are making carbon-neutral transportation more feasible for everyone, from businesses to competitive athletes to individuals who don’t own their own boats.

Brands & marketing