Sail-powered ‘ale run’ makes UK landfall

A shipment of French wine, cider and honey has made landfall in Cornwall in what is now a regular “ale run” between France and the UK.

The “Grayhound” dropped off a tonne of British specialties in Nantes earlier this month and took on five tonnes of Muscadet before setting sail on 11 August bound for Falmouth.

The ship is operated by the Grayhound Lugger Shipping company and makes its run with the backing of TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) and Cusgane Organic Farm in Cornwall where the products are sold.

“Grayhound” stopped briefly at TWOT’s warehouse in Douarnenez to drop off some of the Muscadet and then took on some Bordeaux, Breton cider and Amorique honey.

Guillaume le Grand of TOWT, said: “Sail shipping has been shown to have positive effects on the environment, and it has a great economic potential. The ‘Grayhound’ is a project lowering the carbon emissions of shipping cargo around the world. She is a very concrete ambassador today. ”

“The shipping industry is currently ill-equipped to cope efficiently with the challenges of the 21st century. Giant container carriers use as much fossil fuel energy as a small power station… The objective is not only to leverage classical shipping as a way to protect our future, but also to invest in modern sailing cargo ships.”

Marcus Pomeroy-Rowden, skipper and owner of the Grayhound Lugger added: “Onboard Grayhound we are passionate about treading as lightly as possible on our planets resources. We wanted to start a small family run business that stood for this, we didnt know if it would be possible….and we are trying to find out. With the help of TOWT and buyers like Cusgarne organic farm we are starting something that could be a powerful move into a different thinking of how things are transported and how as neighbouring countries we work together in a alliance to support each other.

“Where ever we load or offload cargo we always put a smile on people’s faces and we’re sure we make them think, if but for a second “there really are people out there doing something which challenges old ways and breaks the mould” If what we do is just to start the discussion then it is worth it. In the meantime we are sailors sailing in home waters to deliver quality products to buyers who care and it feels great all round.”

This is the third “ale run” so far this year and the ship is due to be unloaded today.