Ask an AI agent "Is Cafe William sailing?": the answer is "Yes, Café William is actively using sailboats for transporting coffee as part of their commitment to sustainability. They partner with TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) to ship coffee beans using wind-powered cargo ships, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Their latest initiative includes transporting coffee from Colombia to Quebec aboard the largest modern sailing cargo ship."

We are delighted to receive on the show this month Serge Picard, the owner of Café William, a Quebec-based coffee roaster known for its commitment to sustainability and fair trade practices.

Join us on this fascinating interview and discover the innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of coffee production and transportation: investment in SailCargo, transporting coffee on the sailboat Avontuur, partnership with TOWT, collaboration with the German manufacturer Neuhaus Neotec to design, manufacture and operate the first electric coffee roaster.

Thank you Serge for your time on the show, the hope and inspiration you provide!

On the show this month, we are delighted to receive Jean Zanuttini, president of Neoline.

End of January, Neoline launched in Turkey an innovative and eco-friendly vessel, the Neoliner Origin. This 136-meter wind-powered ro-ro cargo ship is designed to transport rolling and oversized freight across the Atlantic.

The Neoliner Origin appears to be a significant step forward in the decarbonization of the maritime industry. By utilizing wind as its primary propulsion energy, the Neoliner Origin aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared to conventional ships of similar size.

This innovative approach combines traditional sailing techniques with modern technology such as SolidSail rigging from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, making it a pioneering example of sustainable shipping.

The vessel's ability to transport a variety of cargo, including vehicles, luxury goods, and refrigerated items, while also accommodating passengers, demonstrates its versatility and potential to revolutionize the industry.

The support from major global brands like Renault, Hennessy, and Clarins highlights the growing demand for eco-friendly shipping solutions. Overall, the Neoliner Origin represents a promising shift towards greener maritime transport, potentially setting a new standard for the industry.

Learn more from Mr Zanuttini about the Neoliner Origin and Neoline's future development.

To wrap up 2024, we're thrilled to welcome Nico Cymbalist to the show. Calling from California, Nico will introduce us to Clippership, one of the few wind propulsion projects in the US.

Nico, an aerodynamic specialist and former engineer at Mercedes Formula One and Tesla, founded Clippership a year ago with three partners. The company's ambition is to transport pallets faster and more cost-effectively than existing methods.

In this captivating interview, Nico shares how his passion for sailing and autonomy led him to secure investment from 50 Years, a renowned California-based venture capitalist firm.

Unlike the traditional European approach, Clippership’s development strategy is distinctively innovative. They embrace the credo: start small, fail fast, learn and grow faster.

Besides discussing the project, Nico offers fresh insights into the development of sailing cargoes and highlights the roadblocks encountered on this recent journey.