A French Chocolate Company Will Introduce an Eco-Friendly 200-TEU Cargo Ship by 2027
Posted on Nov 09, 2024 at 09:11 PM
Grain de Sail, a French company renowned for its organic food production and ecological shipping, has unveiled designs for its third contemporary sailing cargo ship, set to launch in 2027.
Primarily established in 2013, the coffee roaster and chocolatier has branched out into decarbonised maritime logistics.
It aims to expand its commercial presence in the US and Europe through food manufacturing and freight forwarding services.
Grain de Sail III's Role in Sustainable Shipping
The Grain de Sail III is a sailing containership capable of carrying up to 3,000 metric tonnes of goods and 200 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), taking approximately 13 days to cross the Atlantic.
Moreover, a 24-meter aluminium hull demonstration, Grain de Sail's first cargo sailboat, has been in service since November 2020. The Brittany, France-based shipyard PIRIOU built the bigger 52-meter Grain de Sail II, which could carry 350 tonnes of cargo. In March, the ship finished her first trip to New York.
Grain de Sail's new 2,800-ton ship could significantly enhance its import capacity, particularly cocoa, to meet rising manufacturing demands, thereby advancing its goal to expand decarbonised transportation options and meet the rising market for its goods.
“With Grain de Sail III, we are showcasing our ambitions and strengthening our leadership in the decarbonised maritime transport segment,” stated Grain de Sail's Co-Founder and President Oliver Barreau. “To make wind-powered transport accessible, we need to change scale, and that's exactly what we're about to do with a pure sailing container ship.”
Besides, it will accomplish over 90% decarbonisation thanks to its three masts and 4,000 square meters of sail area. With an air draft of 62.5 meters, the vessel can easily pass under critical bridges on significant marine routes including New York's Verrazzano Bridge and across the Panama Canal.
The ship's retractable daggerboards will improve upwind speed while reducing draft at dockside, providing easy port access.
Hydrogenation Technology
Grain de Sail III will feature advanced hydrogenation technology for decarbonised energy, a wood pellet boiler for heating and hot water, and thick insulation for a near-passive energy environment, enhancing crew comfort during transatlantic journeys.
There are dangers associated with operating cargo ships. The De Gallant, a 90-foot cargo ship owned by the France-based Blue Schooner Company, tragically lost two crew members in a storm near the Bahamas in May. The ship, built in 1916 in the Netherlands flying the flag of Vanuatu, was carrying coffee, cocoa, and cane sugar bound for Europe, leaving Santa Marta, Colombia, days earlier.
The company has gained significant insight into the potential and difficulties of wind propulsion from its experience running its first two cargo sailboats.
Mainly, it intends to provide the marine sector with scalable, low-carbon transportation solutions by utilising years of operational input and a realistic evaluation of the demands of wind-powered shipping.
Overall, Grain de Sail III, registered in the French International Register (RIF), is spearheading environmentally friendly shipping options by expanding its fleet and focusing on sustainable, wind-powered transportation solutions. This transition strengthens the link between Europe and the U.S., ensuring a more sustainable shipping industry.
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