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Setting Sail with Sustainability: The Grain de Sail Adventure

 Grain de Sail is an innovative company founded in 2010 by twin brothers in Brittany, France, driven by a bold vision: to champion sustainability in transatlantic trade. They envisioned selecting, producing, and delivering high-quality food products using the world's first modern cargo sailboat.

From Coffee Roasting to Setting Sail

Their journey began in 2013 with the launch of a coffee roasting facility, followed by a chocolate factory in 2016. These endeavors aimed to not only establish their brand but also generate revenue to fund their ultimate goal: building a cargo sailboat for transatlantic crossings by 2020. As their product sales flourished, expanding their chocolate and coffee range, they secured the resources to turn their vision into reality.

Building the Dream: The First Cargo Sailboat

In October 2018, the dream became tangible with the signing of a contract to construct their first cargo sailboat. Nearly two years later, in November 2020, the ship set sail from the shipyard near Nantes, embarking on its maiden transatlantic voyage. This marked a significant milestone, solidifying Grain de Sail's position as the owner of a unique modern cargo sailboat.

An Unforeseen Twist: Exporting French Wines

While the initial plan involved importing organic cocoa and coffee from Central America and the Caribbean, they encountered a logistical hurdle. To reach France first, they needed to cross the Atlantic. This led them to a unique solution in 2016: transporting organic French wines to New York using their cargo sailboat, transforming it into the world's first purpose-built floating wine cellar, named "Grain de Sail Wines."

The Engineering Masterpiece: Grain de Sail I

After extensive research and development spanning almost four years, Grain de Sail meticulously designed their modern cargo sailboat to meet their specific needs:

  • Fully compliant: The ship adheres to international shipping standards, certified by independent experts and complying with SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW regulations.
  • Registered in France: It flies the French International Register (RIF) flag and is registered in Saint-Malo, Brittany, its home port.
  • Technical specifications:
    • 72ft / 22m aluminum monohull (with an overall length of 24.24m)
    • 50-ton loading capacity
    • Climate-controlled hold for up to 28 pallets powered by green energy
    • Schooner-type rigging
    • 4 to 6 transatlantic crossings per year (2 to 3 round trips)
    • Crew of 4 professional sailors


Setting Sail for the Future: Grain de Sail II

Driven by the success of their first vessel and their commitment to sustainability, Grain de Sail embarked on building a larger cargo sailboat, the "Grain de Sail II." This 52-meter aluminum vessel was constructed by Piriou, a renowned shipyard, at their specialized site in Vietnam. The selection of the shipyard was a strategic decision based on expertise, quality, budget constraints, and shared values.

A Collaboration for Sustainability

The "Grain de Sail II" project exemplifies a successful collaboration between various entities committed to sustainable maritime solutions. Piriou, the shipyard, equipped the vessel with a Baudouin 6M26.3 marine engine, known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and compliance with strict emission standards. This engine ensures operational flexibility and safety while minimizing environmental impact.

Grain de Sail II: A Maritime Revolution

The "Grain de Sail II" stands as a testament to the company's unwavering commitment to sustainability in maritime transport. This wind-powered vessel, the largest cargo sailboat globally, boasts a 350-ton load capacity and a minimal carbon footprint. With its aluminum construction and 1500 square meters of sails, it achieves speeds of 12 knots, significantly reducing carbon emissions by over 90% compared to traditional cargo ships.

The "Grain de Sail" project is a beacon of innovation, demonstrating the potential of wind-powered cargo transportation to revolutionize the maritime industry while preserving our planet.


WEBSITE : https://graindesail.com/

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