News : With NEOLINE, the Michelin Group’s logistics is on the rise

Michelin signs a letter of commitment for maritime transport with Neoline, a French shipowner relying on main propulsion by sail

Michelin chooses the French start-up NEOLINE, offering carbon-free shipping innovating services Firmly committed to reducing CO2emissions from its logistics operations, the Michelin Group recently signed a transport commitment with NEOLINE.NEOLINE’s decarbonized shipping service relies on clean and renewable wind energy as the main propulsion for its 136m long cargo ships with 4200 m2of sails.

A commitment to transport pneumatic tires on the Halifax (Canada) / Saint-Nazaire

This is an innovative and unique solution, open to all shippers, which will reduce by 90% the CO2emissions related to transatlantic maritime freight transport.

A first concrete step for the Michelin group on the NEOLINE pilot line from Halifax (Canada) to Saint-Nazaire -Montoir de Bretagne (France) by 2023.

-Montoir de Bretagne (France) line, as soon as the first cargo sailboat was commissioned

The transport commitment signed by Michelin concerns the transport by sailing cargo ships of tires loaded in containers from Halifax (Canada) to Saint-Nazaire -Montoir de Bretagne (France) on the pilot line opened by NEOLINE, which will also serve the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, as well as Baltimore (USA). NEOLINE plans to open its transatlantic line with a first operating vessel in 2023.

With the arrival of a second vessel, scheduled a year later, the Michelin group will gradually entrust NEOLINE with at least 50% of the group’s containers transported on this line.

A test initiative to help decarbonize Michelin’s logistics operations

Like the Group’s sites, which are committed to the ambitious goal of zero CO2emissions by 2050, Michelin intends to test new solutions to decarbonize its logistics operations. “This initiative and this new partnership promote innovation in the field of carbon-free transport.

This first step in carbon-free shipping is fully in line with the CSR strategy of Michelin’s operations. It will contribute to achieving the objective of reducing CO2emissions from logistics by 15% in absolute terms between 2018 and 2030,” said Pierre-Martin Huet, Michelin Group Supply Chain Director.

Jean Zanuttini, President of NEOLINE, added: “We are honored to welcome on board the Michelin Group, an emblematic French player strongly committed to innovation and sustainable mobility.

This first commitment concerns Eastboundflow(from the Americas to Europe) and comes in addition to an already well-filledorder book in Westbounddirection(from Europe tothe Americas).

With oursailing cargo ships, we are developing a mode of transport that is more environmentally friendly, adapted to the current economic and logistical reality of shippers and not dependentonfossil fuels. » Jean Zanuttini adds: “With our partners, we are currently working on the different options available to start the construction of our first vessel as soon as possible. »

With this new commitment, NEOLINE is positioning itself as an ambassador for the energy transition of the Supply Chains of major French industry leaders such asGroupeRenault, GroupeBeneteau, Manitou Group, Jas Hennessy & Co and now the Michelin Group. NEOLINE’s solution, by significantly reducing the impact of maritime transport, contributes to achieving the sustainable development objectives of France and the International Maritime Organization.

About MichelinMichelin is a world leader in tire manufacturing and aims to improve its customers’ mobility in a sustainable way. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, employs more than 127,000 people and operates 69 tire plantsthat together have produced approximately 200 million tires in 2019. Also a leader in the mobility sector, Michelin develops services and solutions to improve transportation efficiency as well as high-tech materials for a wide range of applications.

All the Michelin Group sites have set an ambitious goal of zero CO2 emissions by 2050.Michelin Press Office: +33 (0)1 45 66 22 22 -michelin.comAbout NEOLINE NEOLINE was founded in 2015 by a group of maritime professionals convinced of the necessary evolution of shipping towards a more responsible maritime transport.

NEOLINE’s ambition is to become the first shipowner oriented towards energy sobriety, relying on main propulsion under sail. TheSogestranGroup,and its subsidiary Cie MaritimeNantaise, have joined NEOLINE in 2020.

press release :Special  eBlue Economy