Moored right next to the École nationale supérieure maritime in Le Havre (Seine-Maritime) and officially christened from Monday 28 October 2024, “Anémos” already has the scent of the sea and that of a dream come true. That of Guillaume Le Grand and Diana Mesa, co-founders of Towt, who launched this “crazy” project – according to the former – by renting old vehicles to transport goods in 2011. Since then, the water has flowed along the docks of Le Havre (Seine-Maritime), where the couple settled in 2020, finding support and financing to build this impressive 81 meter schooner, including the sister ship “Artémis”, has just rounded the Cape of Good Hope from Vietnam.
Another six of these sailing merchant ships, already ordered, will have to follow by 2027 to constitute a real fleet. The third copy is also in the pipeline and will be called “Atlantis”. For Towt the declared ambition is to participate in the decarbonisation of the planet by saving, starting from 2028, 40 tonnes of CO2 and transporting more than 20,000 tonnes of goods every year.
Having just returned from her first Atlantic crossing, which took her from New York to Colombia before returning via Quebec, with full holds both on the outward and return journey, “Anémos” is carefully examined by the technicians of Piriou, the Breton shipyard who built it. The idea is to see how these first weeks of navigation have affected us, and in particular whether it is possible to improve some settings.
Cruises full of events are planned
On board it’s time to discover the technology-rich deck and gangway, some of which are directly inspired by ocean racing, and the cabins where up to a dozen passengers can sit alongside the crew. “It’s not a great luxury, but they are comfortable spaces of 14 m2, well designed,” underlines Guillaume Le Grand, who wanted to wait a bit before welcoming the first volunteers. “Our sailors had to find their way. We’re still getting used to it,” he procrastinates.
If all goes well, the opening to the general public should take place by the end of the year with a first cabin heading to New York. “We will start slowly and gradually increase the load to reach up to 12 passengers,” announces Guillaume Le Grand, aware of the expectations he has raised by mentioning this possibility starting from 2023. Since then, almost 2,000 people have come forward, dreaming of this journey necessarily special. cruise where they will be able to use the libraries made available to them by Maison Gallimard, partner of the project. I’m not sure, however, that they will be able to do it calmly, aboard a sailboat that chases away depressions and offshore winds to achieve its commercial objectives. “He will be busy, we can say,” summarizes one of the sailors encountered in the passages.
“We will offer an online booking interface in the coming weeks. And we will immediately validate the first one to sign up”, announces Guillaume Le Grand. It will cost from 200 to 220 euros per day for the crossing, knowing that it takes about two weeks to reach, at an average of 10 knots and with peaks of up to 16, the American port With an advantage: it is not necessary to put all your belongings in the cabin suitcase, each passenger can take with them up to 150 kg of luggage “For a student who leaves for several months”, imagines Guillaume Le Grand, “. it can be a practical solution.” And a great experience.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Guillaume Le Grand, Co-founder of Towt
Editor: Welcome, Guillaume! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. Your recent projects and the launch of the “Anémos” sounds quite remarkable. Could you start by telling us a bit more about the journey that led you and Diana Mesa to create Towt?
Guillaume Le Grand: Thank you for having me! The journey has indeed been quite adventurous. It all began in 2011 with the idea of renting old vehicles to transport goods. We were aware of the environmental impact of traditional transportation methods, and we needed to find a more sustainable solution. Bringing sailing vessels back into commercial use was this “crazy” idea that seemed possible, and we’ve been building on that vision since then.
Editor: I understand that “Anémos” has just completed its first Atlantic crossing, which is quite an achievement. What was that experience like for you and your team?
Guillaume Le Grand: It was exhilarating! We went from New York to Colombia and then returned through Quebec. The ship performed beautifully, and we were able to fill the holds on both trips, which showcased the commercial viability of our model. However, returning was just the beginning — we’ve been working closely with the technicians from Piriou to assess the ship’s performance and fine-tune several aspects of her operational capabilities.
Editor: That’s impressive. You’ve mentioned that there are plans for more vessels, with six more ordered by 2027. What are your ambitions for this fleet, particularly in terms of sustainability?
Guillaume Le Grand: Our ambition is impactful: to actively contribute to the decarbonization of shipping. Starting in 2028, we aim to save 40 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and transport over 20,000 tonnes of goods. Each new vessel will allow us to expand our eco-friendly shipping model and provide a genuine alternative to fossil-fuel-based transport.
Editor: The concept of a sailing merchant fleet is fascinating. Can you share more about what makes “Anémos” and the upcoming ships unique?
Guillaume Le Grand: Absolutely! “Anémos” and the future vessels are designed with a focus on efficiency and technology. We’ve drawn inspiration from ocean racing, which allows us to incorporate advanced navigation and sailing techniques, optimizing performance. Each vessel will have cabins designed for crew and passengers, offering comfort while maintaining the authenticity of sailing experiences.
Editor: What can people expect when they come aboard for those cruises you mentioned?
Guillaume Le Grand: We are set to offer immersive sailing experiences, prioritizing education about sustainability. Passengers will be part of the journey, learning about our operations and the ocean while enjoying the beauty of sailing. We aim for our spaces to be comfortable rather than luxurious, maintaining an authentic maritime experience.
Editor: That sounds like a wonderful way to engage with the community while promoting sustainability. As the project evolves, what challenges do you foresee?
Guillaume Le Grand: There are always challenges in pioneering such initiatives. One major aspect is maintaining the fine balance between innovation and traditional sailing practices. We’re also focused on building a knowledgeable crew who can navigate this new style of shipping. The logistics of scaling our operations sustainably, while ensuring safety and reliability, will be a continuous effort.
Editor: any parting thoughts on the future of sustainable shipping and where Towt fits in?
Guillaume Le Grand: I believe that the future of shipping will significantly lean towards sustainability. Projects like ours are kicking off a vital conversation about reducing the carbon footprint of global trade. At Towt, we are committed to being at the forefront of that change, demonstrating how traditional methods can evolve to meet modern environmental challenges. We’re just getting started!
Editor: Thank you, Guillaume. Your insights are truly inspiring. We look forward to following Towt’s journey and the success of “Anémos” and its sister ships.
Guillaume Le Grand: Thank you! It’s exciting to share this journey, and I appreciate your interest in our vision.