Takeda to Transport Products Between Europe and the U.S. with Sailing Cargo Vessels

Takeda has partnered with VELA Transport to become the first biopharmaceutical company to transport its products between Europe and the U.S. using VELA’s new fleet of next-generation sailing cargo vessels, powered 100 percent by wind when at sea. Purpose-built to handle pharmaceutical products, VELA will offer reliable, secure and ultra-low-emission sea freight shipping. The maiden voyage is planned for late 2026.

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A Climate-Conscious Form of Transportation

VELA’s new wind-powered sea freight will offer a climate-conscious alternative to other transportation for the pharmaceutical industry – cutting use-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99 percent compared to air freight and up to 90 percent compared to container ships. The remaining emissions primarily come from the minimal engine use for maneuvering into harbors. The trimaran will be equipped with CoolSafe by VELA, a Good Distribution Practice (GPD) compliant refrigeration system that is temperature-controlled and powered by renewable energy generated on board. This innovation ensures the cold-chain integrity and premium logistics performance required to maintain product safety and quality. This new distribution solution aims to demonstrate that operational excellence and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.

VELA intends to achieve delivery times under 15 days for its transatlantic crossings —faster than containerized sea cargo freight—leveraging offshore racing technologies, direct routes and more efficient port operations in secondary ports. Scaling its business by building a fleet of five trimarans by 2028, VELA plans to transport up to 48,000 tons of goods per year.

Plus, the trimarans will be built entirely of aluminum—a material that is infinitely recyclable. Right from the design stage, all components have been designed to be dismantled for recycling or reuse, either across other VELA vessels, or for other purposes.

“We strongly believe that VELA and Takeda share the same passion for innovating and protecting the planet by implementing more sustainable business practices,” said Xavier Baville, head of global distribution and logistics, customer experience at Takeda. “Shipping by sail is an exciting step in supporting Takeda’s distribution and logistics strategy to use more sustainable and efficient modes of transportation. It is a true adventure and motivating for all team members to reestablish sailing cargo shipping lines between Europe and the U.S.”

Pierre-Arnaud Vallon, CEO of VELA, said: “Delivering life-transforming treatments across the Atlantic using only the power of the wind is a powerful example of what sustainable business practice can achieve. Together, we are building a new standard for maritime transport: efficient, sustainable, safe, and resilient.”