On September 19, Takeda Pharmaceutical announced that it will use VELA's cargo ship, a three-copper vessel, to transport its pharmaceuticals between Europe and the United States. The maiden voyage is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
VELA's new generation of trimaran cargo ships, designed specifically for pharmaceuticals and set to begin operations soon, will be 100% wind-powered at sea.
By utilizing wind power for maritime transport, greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation can be reduced by up to 99% compared to air transport and up to 90% compared to container ships.
The trimaran is also equipped with a temperature-controlled refrigeration system that complies with Good Distribution Practices (GDP), and is powered by renewable energy generated on board.
This system enables sustainable operations in the cold chain and achieves the advanced logistical capabilities necessary to maintain product safety and quality.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 2040, and is incorporating climate change adaptation measures into every aspect of its business activities and pharmaceutical supply.
VELA also aims to achieve transatlantic transport in less than 15 days, shorter than container ships, and plans to expand its fleet to five trimarans by 2028, with an annual cargo transport capacity of 48,000 tons.
According to the announcement, this initiative is a world first, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company stated that it "opens a new era of environmentally conscious and sustainable transportation in the pharmaceutical industry as the first biopharmaceutical company to transport its drugs in a wind-powered trimaran."
