Grain de Sail, a pioneer in sustainable maritime logistics, has announced ambitious plans to construct its third cargo sailboat, the Grain de Sail III, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing maritime transport through decarbonization. This new vessel, set to be launched in 2027, will measure 360 feet in length and have the capacity to transport around 200 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), with a maximum cargo capacity of 3,000 metric tons. The ship is designed to make transatlantic crossings in approximately 13 days, utilizing wind power as its primary means of propulsion.
Founded in 2012 by brothers Olivier and Jacques Barreau, Grain de Sail has evolved from a small Breton company with an innovative business model into a key player in the global maritime and food production sectors, which include chocolate manufacturing and coffee roasting. While the food production operations remain based in Morlaix, the company is expanding its maritime logistics hub in Saint-Malo, the homeport for its fleet of cargo sailing ships. The Grain de Sail III will be registered under the French International Register (RIF) and aims to fulfill a growing need for wind-powered maritime transport that the company has identified over the years.
Doubling the Length of Cargo Sailing Ships: Economic Challenge, Technical Feat
In 2020, Grain de Sail became the first shipowner to design and operate a modern cargo sailing ship that adheres to international merchant shipping standards. The original Grain de Sail was a 24-meter vessel capable of carrying 50 tons, which has successfully completed transatlantic voyages equivalent to three times around the world, laying the groundwork for future projects.
The company marked another milestone in January 2024 with the launch of its second cargo sailing ship, the Grain de Sail II. At 52 meters long, it more than doubled the length of its predecessor, with a carrying capacity of 350 tons, including nearly 300 pallets in its hold and 24 barrels on deck. This expansion also saw Grain de Sail transition into a freight forwarder, opening the holds of Grain de Sail II to provide logistics services while refining its maritime economic model.
As demand for low-carbon transport continues to rise, Grain de Sail has initiated discussions with naval architects from L2Onaval, equipment manufacturers, and shipyards to develop a vessel that doubles the size of its current cargo ships, transitioning from pallet transport to container shipping. This strategic shift aims to reduce costs and achieve economies of scale, all while adhering to the company’s commitment to fully decarbonized navigation.
A Wind-Powered Revolution
The Grain de Sail III will represent a significant advancement in wind-powered maritime transport, capable of carrying approximately 200 TEUs and 2,800 tons of cargo. Unlike hybrid vessels that use both engines and wind, this ship will be solely powered by wind, except during port and channel maneuvers. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 90%, producing just 1 to 2 grams of CO₂ per ton of cargo per kilometer—significantly lower than the current fleet’s emissions. This achievement will be made possible through the development of large rigid sails that can be reefed when necessary, along with collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to design a SOLID SAIL-type rigging system optimized for such a large cargo vessel.
Key Features and Technical Specifications
The Grain de Sail III will boast impressive technical specifications, including:
- Overall Length: 110 meters (360 feet)
- Sail Area: 4,000 m² (43,055 ft²)
- Maximum Water Draft: 62.50 meters (205 feet)
- Payload Capacity: 2,800 tons (200 TEUs)
- Crew Size: 10 sailors
The ship’s innovative design includes retractable daggerboards for improved upwind performance and reduced draft in port. Additionally, the vessel will be equipped with advanced hydrogeneration technologies to ensure a decarbonized and autonomous energy supply onboard. Heating and hot water for crew comfort will be provided by a wood pellet boiler.
Olivier Barreau, Co-Founder and President of Grain de Sail, stated, “Grain de Sail is a pioneer. With Grain de Sail III, we are clearly demonstrating our ambitions and confirming our leadership in the strongly decarbonized maritime transport segment. To democratize wind-powered transport, we need to scale up, and that’s exactly what we are preparing to do with a pure wind-powered container ship.”
Loïc Briand, CEO of Grain de Sail Shipping, added, “We have learned a lot about managing wind propulsion with our first two ships. This experience gives us recognized technical expertise. We are confidently moving forward with Grain de Sail III, supported by emerging technological solutions that signal the maturation of wind propulsion.”
Loys Leclercq, Co-Founder of L2Onaval, expressed excitement about the collaboration, noting, “Our partnership with Grain de Sail allows us to integrate real-world feedback from the existing fleet to further push the boundaries of design for the next generation of pure cargo sailing ships.”
This announcement from Grain de Sail not only marks a significant step in the evolution of sustainable maritime transport but also reflects a broader commitment to combating climate change through innovative solutions in the shipping industry.
About L2Onaval
L2Onaval is a naval architecture firm focused on reducing the environmental impact of maritime activities. The firm designs ships ranging from eco-friendly pleasure boats to large wind-powered cargo vessels, emphasizing sustainable practices in maritime transport.
About Grain de Sail
Since 2013, Grain de Sail has operated as a coffee roaster and chocolatier, expanding its operations to include a fleet of low-carbon cargo sailing ships. The company exports French products to New York and imports organic cocoa and green coffee from Latin America. Grain de Sail is committed to expanding its commercial presence in the U.S. and Europe while strengthening low-carbon maritime logistics across the Atlantic.
Source Grain de Sail