“Grain de sail” marks the return of trade under sail

26 February 2023Photos and text: Oscar Chuberre19 images

“Grain de sail” signe le retour du commerce à la voile

01 / 19 · 26 February 2023Oscar Chuberre / Collectif DR

A century since one was last built! On November 18, 2021, a brand-new sailing cargo ship puts to sea. It is the first of a fleet already under construction. A modern adventure, the fruit of 7 years of thinking and work. Loaded with a cargo of 15,000 bottles of wine, Grain de Sail is heading for the United States, and will return from Central America with several tons of cocoa in its holds.

The company first set up a coffee and chocolate processing business, before now going to fetch its raw materials under sail. This approach has allowed it to build customer loyalty and to manage the production chain from end to end. It thus intends to give maritime transport a new, decarbonized lease of life, while remaining competitive.

In its wake, several transport players are beginning to take an interest in this economy, which has the wind in its sails.

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