At the origin
of an ambition

The origin of the NEOLINE project lies in the commitment of a group of Merchant Navy officers federated by Michel Péry, ro-ro ships captain, convinced that the climate challenges would lead the shipping world to consider new propulsion modes to improve its environmental performance.

Their common driver is the conviction that the working sail is the only truly sober, immediately available and powerful enough solution to propel cargo ships.

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The NEOLINE Développement company

Building sustainable shipping

In a world where the energy and ecological transition is becoming a determining factor, NEOLINE aims to offer maritime transport solutions that combine operational relevance and energy sobriety and ains to move towards zero emission transport.

Both designer of innovative solutions and developer of commercial lines that are perfectly adapted to it, NEOLINE has been able to convince of the interest of its economic model based on energy performance thanks to its transversal operational and technological approach.

In 2015, NEOLINE SAS was created, after four years of pre-studies and design work, which was confirmed by the filing of an international patent. It was then managed by Michel Pery (Chairman) and Jean Zanuttini (Managing Director).

As of today, major groups such as Groupe RENAULT , Manitou Group and Groupe Beneteau have joined the project to reduce the impact of their supply chains.

In June 2020, NEOLINE SAS becomes NEOLINE Développement (head entity of a group which will soon be completed with the creation of NEOLINE Armateur) which will build and operate the first Neoliner vessels.

NEOLINE Développement remains predominantly owned by its founders grouped in the holding company NEOLINE & Associés.

Neoline is member of :

Governance

Executives

Jean Zanuttini, Presdient of NEOLINE Développement

After seven years as a Merchant Marine Officer, particularly on ro-ro ships, Jean Zanuttini has been acting as a maritime and naval consultant since 2010. He combines technical, operational and commercial expertise.

In 2011, with Michel Pery, Jean Zanuttini starts the design work on what will become the NEOLINER: an environmentally friendly pilot project ship, safe and adapted to the practice of maritime trade. Since 2016, Jean has been working full time as a NEOLINE Project Manager.

“As future shipowners, we are developing a transversal strategy by combining technical aspects, operational parameters and listening to our shippers. This is how we can develop a solid, industrial business model that is adapted to the reality of the 21st century. »

Paul Le Bihan, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NEOLINE Développement

Chairman of the Board of Directors of a mutual group and former Chairman of the BELEM Foundation, he provides advice and expertise thanks to his background in the banking and insurance world.

“If sailing is an age-old practice, modern technologies open up very wide possibilities for us in terms of innovation, contributing significantly to the decarbonization of maritime transport. The Neoliner will be one of the first illustrations.”

Michel Pery, President of Neoline & Associés

As Captain of the Merchant Marine, aboard ro-ro cargo ships and the Three Mast Barque BELEM, Michel Péry has been in command of merchant marine cargo ships for nearly 25 years. He has an extensive experience in the navigation, operation and maintenance of commercial vessels.

During his career, he witnessed a significant shift in the economic and regulatory context towards a growing consideration and improvment of social practices and respect for the environment.

“The reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and pollutants can only be achieved by reducing hydrocarbon consumption. This reduction requires an engineer’s approach, but also that of a logistician and a sailor in order to make the most of a technique that is directly available and consuming inexhaustible energy: sailing. »

Supervisory board

The Supervisory Board is composed of representatives of the shareholders and the following representatives of NEOLINE & Associés :

Eric Gavoty: Chairman of NEOLINE & Associés, he is a former executive in a banking group and General Secretary of the Fondation BELEM.

Philippe Videau: Former Officer of the Merchant Navy, co-founder of the Compagnie du Ponant, founding President of the Compagnie Exploris, he brings his shipowning and financial experience to the NEOLINE project.

Paul Le Bihan: Managing Director of a mutualist group and former President of the Fondation BELEM, he brings advice and expertise thanks to his background in the banking and insurance world.

Team

The development of the project is also carried out by a multidisciplinary operational team.

Adrien Simonet, Operations & Ship Manager

As a Merchant Navy captain, he has sailed on different types of ships (mixed cargo ships, ferries and ro-ro ships). Since 2017, he was involved in the development of the project in several positions. He is now in charge of Neoliner Origin’s operations and ship management to prepare the start-up of the pilot line.

Enes TASDELEN, Naval Engineer

With several experiences in the maritime and offshore industry, Enes joins the technical department of Neoline. He supervises the construction of our first sail-powered cargo ship, the Neoliner Origin and also work on alternative solutions in maritime transport in collaboration with our R&D teams.

Guilhem Péan, Technical Manager

Experienced Chief Engineer, he has sailed for various shipowners and then managed a technical department before joining NEOLINE’s operational team in 2017. In charge of the technical follow-up of the project, he is the permanent liaison point with the technical partners and shipyards. He also carries out ship energy optimisation studies.

Gabriella Paulet, Head of communication

After working in communication agencies and for NGOs and associations dedicated to ocean protection, Gabriella Paulet is now focusing on the decarbonization of maritime transport. At Neoline, she is responsible for 360° communication and CSR topics.

Madeleine Poulin-Poirier, Sales Manager

After 15 years’ experience in the marine sector, Madeleine joined the team in January 2024. She is responsible for Neoline’s business development and follow-up.

Jules Richeux, Naval architect-engineer

Jules Richeux joined NEOLINE in September 2023 after completing his studies, which focused mainly on hydrodynamics research and naval architecture. He his currently involved in the development of future ships, sailing performance, and internal analysis methods for Neoline.

Anouk Martin, HR & admin manager

With 8 years of experience and a master’s degree in legal and financial translation, Anouk has accompanied the president in the management of the company since 2020.