The German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), an international enterprise owned by the German federal government, announced November 17 that it had previously commissioned the construction of a new island supply vessel, that uses a sail propulsion system, for Marshall Islands. A launching ceremony for the supply ship was held November 15 in Geoje, South Korea.

The vessel, which was financed by the International Climate Initiative as part of the German government’s global commitment to climate action, was built by GIZ, the research unit at the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer (HEL), SDC Ship Design & Consult, Kostec and the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC).

The ship is equipped with a semi-automated INDOSAIL wind propulsion system. According to the International Windship Association (IWSA), a non-profit organization promoting the adoption of these types of systems in commercial vessels, the ship can reach a speed of roughly 12 knots with a sailing area of 500 square meters.