Piriou to construct second sailing cargo vessel for TOWT
3D illustration of the TOWT sailing cargo vessels (Source: Piriou)
French yard Chantiers Piriou has signed a contract with TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) for construction of a second 81m-long sail-powered cargo vessel. French shipping company TOWT has been focussing on the transport of goods on existing or future large sailing vessels since being founded in 2011.
The new ordered vessel will be a repeat of the first ship of this type ordered in early 2022 with the design of a new concept in environment-friendly cargo shipping. The delivery of the first ship in Piriou’s yard in Concarneau is scheduled for the end of 2023, while the second is planned for spring 2024.
With a cargo capacity of 1,100 tonnes, the ships are designed for 320 days at sea per year. Navigation is principally sail-powered. They measure 11.9 of breadth, with a draught of 6m. They will carry a crew of 7 to 12 plus 12 passengers in six double cabins.
The TOWT vessels will sail with an average speed of 10.5 knots, maximum speed under sail amounting to over 16 knots. Sail power will come from two masts. Hull and superstructure are made of steel and aluminium. Freight can be carried in bulk on pallets, wine and spirits will be among target cargo.
In addition to wind propulsion, both newbuildings are equipped with two turbocharged 4-stroke marine diesel engines and a bow thruster. On the bridge, there will be a single command station and its ergonomics will allow the officer of the watch to carry out all the commands and course adjustment operations, excluding manoeuvres, single-handed.
In the coming weeks, the construction of the first ship will start in Piriou’s shipyard in Giurgiu in Romania and it will arrive in Concarneau in summer 2023 for the outfitting phase. The construction of the second is scheduled to start in a few months. The ships and all its equipment will comply with the regulations on cargo vessels performing international sailings.
