Manage This - The Project Management Podcast · Velociteach

Navigating Innovation: The Grain de Sail Story

·45 min·4 clips

Jacques Barreau reveals that Grand Sail's wind-powered ships can cross the Atlantic faster than conventional cargo vessels.

Jacques Barreau, co-founder and CEO of Grain de Sail, joins the hosts to discuss his company's wind-powered cargo ships transporting organic goods across the Atlantic. Barreau and his twin brother Olivier, who have a decade of experience in marine renewable energy, founded the company to drastically reduce maritime shipping's carbon footprint. Their vision combines sustainable shipping with artisanal food production, specifically coffee and chocolate. The brothers started by mastering coffee roasting in 2013 and chocolate production in 2016 to create a reliable business before building their first vessel. They chose the Atlantic Ocean for its sailing compatibility, establishing a trade loop from France to New York and then to Latin America for raw materials. A dedicated routing team uses satellite data and weather forecasts to optimize crossings, achieving a record transit of 14 days. The first prototype, Grain de Sail 1, was a 24-meter schooner with a 50-ton capacity, costing 2 million euros. The current vessel, Grain de Sail 2, is 52 meters long with a 350-ton capacity and a crew of eight, representing a significant scale-up. A planned third vessel, Grain de Sail 3, will be 110 meters long, use rigid "solid sail" technology, and carry containers, targeting operation by late 2027. Barreau explains that a sailing cargo vessel like Grain de Sail 2 costs about 10 million euros, double that of a conventional engine-powered ship of similar size. He notes customer resistance to paying a premium for sustainable shipping despite perfect service quality. One surprising insight is that climate change directly impacts their supply chain, sometimes causing shortages of organic green coffee or cocoa. Barreau emphasizes that their strategy is linked to all nine planetary boundaries, not just carbon reduction, including biodiversity and freshwater use. The company selects its chocolate recipes through blind taste tests by a team of six to ensure quality and collective buy-in. Barreau manages complexity by hiring specialists, like a seafarer dedicated to managing the "wind engine" rigging and a full-time agent in Ecuador named Javier for sourcing. A memorable moment is Barreau's recollection of Grain de Sail 1's inaugural voyage from Saint-Malo during a sunny, cold day in 2020, arriving in a snowy New York during COVID lockdowns. He finds it most rewarding to see their products in shops and receive positive feedback from customers. Barreau argues that achieving zero net emissions in shipping by 2050 requires not only cleaner vessels but also transporting fewer, higher-quality goods. The episode maintains an educational and conversational tone, focusing on practical project management and sustainable business development. The hosts engage with Barreau in a detailed, interview-style discussion about logistics, financing, and team building. Listeners interested in sustainable innovation, supply chain management, or unique entrepreneurial stories will find this episode compelling. Those seeking highly technical debates on maritime engineering or quick business tips might find the narrative pace deliberate.

As heard by us

Wind-powered logistics makes sustainability feel like an operating plan.

Grand Sail's story turns sustainable shipping into an operations puzzle with real stakes. The company is trying to build a business around wind-powered cargo while keeping financing, logistics, and product quality lined up.

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Why you'd press play

You want a calm, practical story about sustainable shipping with project-management muscle.

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