Will Coffee Bean Transport Return to the Age of Discovery to Ensure Everyone Gets Their Coffee?

Return to Sail: The Renaissance of Wind-Powered Coffee Transportation

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental awareness has grown stronger. Even a simple cup of coffee is now scrutinized for its organic credentials, environmental friendliness, and carbon footprint from bean to brew. As we know, coffee cultivation typically consumes fossil fuels, and since coffee-producing countries are often separated from consuming countries by oceans, the transportation of thousands of tons of coffee beans—whether by plane or cargo ship—relies on fossil fuels for power.

However, this situation is changing. NEW DAWN TRADERS, an experimental British enterprise, believes they have the solution. They have abandoned fossil fuel-powered engines for maritime transportation, turning instead to sailboats to transport coffee beans.

Founded in 2013, the company adopted eco-conscious international freight methods from its early days. According to Atlas Obscura, they currently don't own their vessels but operate with chartered ships. The company charters two sailboats annually from the UK to destinations including Portugal, Costa Rica, the Caribbean region, and Colombia, transporting various goods such as honey, wine, rice, olive oil, and of course, green coffee beans.

During one transatlantic voyage, NEW DAWN TRADERS set sail from Las Brisas in Tolima, Colombia, loaded with a sailboat full of green coffee beans. After more than five months and approximately 7,000 nautical miles, they transported the beans across the ocean to a small port in Cornwall, UK.

The Trade-Off Between Time and Sustainability

Admittedly, without modern technological power sources, transportation time has significantly increased. However, this most ancient method of wind-powered maritime transport, which minimizes carbon emissions as much as possible, is a source of pride for the entire transportation team.

The Future of Sail Cargo

Coffee Workshop reported last year that Canadian coffee roaster Café William and its partner Sailcargo are building zero-emission sailing cargo ships, planned to begin operations in 2023.

The Golden Age of Sail

Sailing cargo ships once enjoyed their golden age. In the 19th century, Europeans made numerous technical improvements to sailing vessels to transport the freshest tea back to Europe. This even gave rise to speed competitions. The Cutty Sark, for instance, sailed from Hankou, China, fully loaded with Chinese tea, reaching London in 109 days. The Cutty Sark was the last British-built clipper ship and also the fastest.

Subsequently, with the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, steam-powered ships—faster and requiring no specialized training for sailors—replaced sailboats in transportation.

Modern Applications and Challenges

Today's shipping vessels cause significant environmental pollution. To achieve carbon neutrality goals as quickly as possible, some enterprises are turning their attention to sail-powered shipping trade. While not all ventures begin smoothly, and sail transport may not completely replace conventional shipping, it's remarkable that in this age of technological advancement, some are still considering methods from over two hundred years ago to transport coffee beans. This may sound unrealistic, but for those who yearn for the Age of Sail, it's undoubtedly fascinating.

Image source: Internet

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