Grain de Sail II: Inaugurating the Future of Eco-Friendly Maritime Transport

Grain de Sail

Grain de Sail, a French company, recently held a celebration for the christening of Grain de Sail II, the world's most substantial modern cargo sailboat. This vessel, constructed by the local shipbuilder Piriou, represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly maritime transport.

Grain de Sail II, following over a year of construction and a transit exceeding two months, arrived at its home port in Saint-Malo, France, in late November 2023. The christening ceremony, which took place on January 11, 2024, marked the vessel's addition to Grain de Sail's fleet of wind-powered cargo ships.

 

The ship, powered primarily by wind (except during port maneuvers), measures 52 meters in length, more than double the size of its predecessor. It has a capacity of transporting 290 European pallets or 350 tons of cargo, which is nearly ten times the payload of the first Grain de Sail vessel. This represents a significant stride in reducing carbon emissions, with the Grain de Sail II capable of reducing carbon emissions by over 90% compared to traditional ships on similar routes.

 

The Grain de Sail II, constructed entirely from aluminum, boasts 1,500 square meters of sails. It is designed to travel from Saint-Malo to New York in approximately fifteen days, achieving commercial speeds of up to 12 knots. The ship's design integrates solar panels, hydro generators, and the first pellet boiler installed on a merchant ship, further reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly operations.

 

The upcoming steps for the Grain de Sail II involve installing sails, conducting sea trials, and training sailors before its first commercial voyage to New York in early March. Olivier Barreau, co-founder and President of Grain de Sail, emphasized the vessel's capacity to fulfill the company's transport needs for cocoa and coffee and offered its use to other companies seeking to decarbonize their maritime transport. Loïc Briand, Managing Director of Grain de Sail Shipping, highlighted the ship's design, developed through extensive experience and thousands of work hours, ensuring safety, comfort, and environmental preservation.

 

In related developments, Grain de Sail has launched a new sail-powered shipping line connecting Saint-Malo in France with Southampton in the UK, further expanding its eco-friendly maritime transport initiatives.