Manitou formalises Neoline partnership to reduce its carbon footprint

Manitou Group has formalised its partnership with the eco-responsible company Neoline, which specialises in maritime transport via roll-on- roll off (ro-ro) cargo ships. By signing this contract, the group accelerates its ecological transition by choosing a solution that drastically reduces the environmental impact of its exports to the United States.

This collaboration between Manitou Group and Neoline, which began in 2017, is now formalised by a contract signed by both partners. This partnership involves the transport of all aerial work platforms and telehandlers manufactured by Manitou Group in France via a primarily wind-powered cargo ship heading for the North American market. These products will be loaded at the Saint-Nazaire Port (Loire-Atlantique) for shipping to the East coast of the United States via the Port of Baltimore (Maryland).

Augustin Merle, director of logistics and projects at Manitou Group, said, “We are proud to sign this contract with Neoline today. It is an important step in moving this project forward. By engaging with a local partner, we are not only strengthening our regional position, but we are also going to reduce our transport carbon footprint, while guaranteeing reliability of service for our customers in the United States and Canada.”

With more than 1000 machines exported to the United States per year, Manitou Group will have a load capacity of up to 40 machines per trip on board this sail cargo ship. This navigation solution will make it possible to reduce up to 90% of CO² emissions when compared with a traditional cargo ship making an equivalent trip.

According to the development plan of Neoline’s pilot line, construction of the first ship, which will be 136m long and have a sail surface of 4200sqm, will begin in the coming months. It will be commissioned on a new transatlantic route between St-Nazaire, Baltimore, Halifax, and St-Pierre and Miquelon. A second ship with equivalent specifications will follow as soon as possible in order to achieve a rate of departure of every two weeks.

Jean Zanuttini, president of Neoline Development, said, “By signing this contract, Manitou Group is demonstrating its resolute commitment to the energy transition of its supply chain and thereby gains access to a new generation of maritime transport designed to reduce environmental impact as much as possible while fully meeting its logistics needs. Manitou Group, which is a global leader in handling, thus sends a strong signal and demonstrates that the Neoline tool meets a real need for French industrial companies with a resolute commitment to the sustainable development of their business. We are technically and commercially ready to quickly and drastically reduce transatlantic supply chain emissions.”