VELA develops large, 100% wind-powered sailing cargo trimarans designed to offer fast, reliable transatlantic freight with low emissions. Its flagship design—nicknamed “L’avion des Mers”—draws on offshore racing technology for transatlantic crossings of under 15 days while maintaining high transport quality. The vessel will include controlled-temperature holds for sensitive goods (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics) and onboard renewables such as photovoltaic panels and hydro-generators. VELA emphasizes social responsibility by flying the French flag so sailors receive French social protections and by committing to ethical labor monitoring during construction. Since launching in November 2022, the company has selected Austal (Austal Philippines, Balamban, Cebu) to build the first trimaran, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2026. VELA plans at least four additional ships for 2027–2028 to increase frequency toward weekly departures and will operate an express maritime line between France’s Atlantic coast and the U.S. East Coast.

Total raised

$47M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Sep 2024