Latest news with #Anemos
Elle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Beach Days Are My Runway With These Fashion-Forward Cover-Ups
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. One moment you're lounging by the pool at a resort, the next you're taking a stroll to find the perfect place for an al fresco lunch. The only thing stopping you from effortlessly going from the water to hitting the pavement is a great swimsuit cover-up. These throw-on-and-go wardrobe staples are the unsung heroes of summer. Unlike most fashion finds, they need to be able to do double the work: providing a bit of coverage without ruining the overall look of that really cute swimsuit you spent so much time tracking down. Picture yourself going from a seaside swim to sightseeing on the sidewalks during your Euro summer vacay in an Anemos striped mini shirtdress that's cute enough to wear on its own or paired with breezy trousers. Or imagine going from the beach to grabbing gelato in a floral Agua by Agua Bendita sarong. No matter what you're looking for, there are so many chic options to shop. Here, you'll find only the very best styles to turn your beach or poolside looks into chic ensembles. Keep scrolling for all the editor-approved finds. Invest in one of the sweetest prints (and colors) of the season with this pink gingham skirt. It's cute enough to wear on its own with a one-piece swimsuit or the adorable matching bikini. Sizes: XS-L Colors: Pink Materials: 80% nylon, 20% elastane There aren't too many things more stylish than a great striped shirt, especially if you're leaning into the nautical movement. Keep it simple and go sans pants or button it up over your favorite pair of jeans for a Parisian-chic look. Sizes: XS-2XL Colors: Azure Stripe, Natural Stripe Materials: Italian stretch twill More often than not, less is more. An undeniably chic black or white sarong will come in handy on any jaunt to the beach. Lucky you, these two styles come as a set, so you get more for a fraction of the price. Sizes: One Size Colors: 28 options Customer review: 'I've had this sarong in both black and baby blue for two summers now, and I still love them. They're lightweight, sheer in a flattering way, and add just the right touch of coverage for pool or beach days. The fabric has held up really well—no snags, no fading. Super easy to tie and toss in a beach bag. Stylish and practical—definitely a go-to swim cover-up for me.' For a complete ensemble that's worthy of taking up space in your carry-on, count on the crochet dress. This one earns bonus points with its fringe details and cutout silhouette. Colors: Cream Materials: 65% polyester, 35% cotton If you're a fan of Totome's pajama-inspired sets, there's a pareo that you can bring with you on your next visit to the pool. Sizes: One size Colors: Brick Materials: 80% organic cotton, 20% silk One of the best parts of summer dressing is having fun with all the different styles of shorts. This pair makes the perfect swimsuit cover-up, thanks to large eyelets and an adjustable drawstring. Pair it with the matching top to complete your look. Sizes: XS-XL Colors: Cornflower Blue Materials: 100% cotton Every resort wardrobe needs a tunic. Of course, Tory Burch makes one of the chicest designs, accented with a fringe hemline. Colors: Vintage Champagne Customer review: 'I loved this dress the moment I saw it online. Did I need another caftan? Thought about it for a minute and decided... yes, I do. It is lovely; the fabric is light and sheer, and the fringe is so fun, kind of a hemp. I bought a cream-colored slip (Commando) to wear underneath because I intend to wear it as a fun party dress. Love. It!' The timeless sarong gets a playful update with this prismatic knit print. Looking for something else in the same silhouette? This one comes in a host of different patterns to test. Colors: 44 options Customer review: 'Love this cover-up so much! I love the colors and the pattern and the coverage is perfect. I thought it would be itchy but it is so comfy.' Look for craft-inspired pieces like this cool crochet shirt to make going from the beach to somewhere else a cinch. Colors: Tawny Brown Lean into the charm of a feminine, floral frock with help from Agua by Agua Bendita. While you're at it, grab one of the brand's equally cute swimsuits to complete your ensemble. Colors: Ceiba Here's a black crochet cover-up that plays with proportions, offering a high-low silhouette that whispers chic. Colors: Black, Beige, White Customer review: 'This is the cutest thing I have ever bought from Amazon. It's one size and fits my 38D chest. I'm 5'4' and 150 pounds and it fits great—not baggy or tight. It goes with everything. I can't wait to wear it.' Tailored shirting is the easiest way to look polished at the pool. This option earns bonus points for its soft, fluid fabric and tie detail. Colors: Light Coffee, Black Materials: 100% polyester The functionality of a towel meets the chicness of a dress in this standout design from Zimmermann. Add it to your summer wardrobe and prepare for the compliments to roll in. Sizes: 4-12 Colors: Black/Cream Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
Elle
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
These Chic Striped Dresses Belong in Your Summer Rotation
If there's one 'It' pattern of summer 2025, it has to be stripes. Sure, animal print, polka dots, gingham, and florals are having their warm-weather moments too, but nothing says summer quite like a striped ensemble. Maybe it's the beach umbrellas of the Mediterranean, the nautical uniforms of sailors, or the varsity stripes of summer sportswear. Whatever the inspiration, stripes—in every color combination and size—are here for the summer to mix, match, and style to suit your needs. To get you ready for the summer, we've rounded up the best striped dresses to shop now—whether you're city-dwelling or vacationing (flights to the Riviera not included). See our favorites below. Proenza Schouler's multi-striped dress from its spring/summer 2025 runway is the perfect combination of nautical and sporty, though the long, flowy silhouette makes it impractical for either category. Still, it's an ideal choice for a garden, yacht, or beach party The perfect dress for the beach or a beach club, Posse's pocketed striped mini is the ultimate cute summer 'fit. Whether you wear it as a cover-up or a minidress, Anemos has you covered from beach to bar. We're also loving the men's shirting-as-a-minidress trend! If you're into the yellow trend for summer—even if this one leans more mustard than butter yellow—this Simon Miller mini is a great option, and the vertical stripes are especially flattering. It also comes in green and blue stripes, if yellow isn't your thing. For a long-sleeve striped option, Sir The Label will keep you covered for cool waterside nights or thoroughly air-conditioned resorts. We had to throw some diagonal stripes into the mix, of course. This baby blue and white combo will take you from downtown gallery to rooftop pool in no time. Posse's striped dresses are so good, we had to include a second one. This strapless midi is the elevated older sister of our favorite red mini. With its bold black-and-white mega stripes, it's perfect for elegant brunches and evening adventures. No one does stripes quite like Christopher John Rogers. With bold color pairings and ultra-flattering silhouettes, his dresses—especially this orange-and-purple striped one—are standout additions to any wardrobe, anywhere. A maxi knit polo dress in baby blue, butter yellow, and evergreen? Say less. Whether you're summering in Nantucket or have more European plans in mind, consider this dress a must-pack essential. Simkhai's collared, long-sleeve nano-stripe mini is perfect for lunch, whether you're in East Hampton or Biarritz. Style striped midi dress with flat sandals or sneakers for summer errands, or dress it up with metallic heels and a chic handbag for an outdoor happy hour. Ramy Brook's black-and-white striped halter dress is perfect for an elevated evening in the city or dinner at the resort bar. Zankov is another brand that does stripes right. This knit dress features strategic striping designed to flatter any body. The fringe trim on The Elder Statesman's red-and-black vertical striped midi dress practically begs to be worn on the beach—and we have no choice but to oblige. Diotima is a must-have brand—not just for summer, but for life. And right now, the striped crochet sweater dress is exactly what your wardrobe needs. Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.
CNN
30-01-2025
- Business
- CNN
Carbon-conscious travelers can now sail across the Atlantic in a wind-powered cargo ship
Described as world's largest cargo ship with sails, the Artemis docked in New York on Monday afternoon after a 32-day journey from the port of Les Havre in northern France. It unloaded around 1,000 tons of French liqueur, champagne, Vilebrequin swimsuits, Bonne Maman jam – and four passengers. They were part of a test run by French startup TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), which has just opened up cabins on its fleet of cargo ships, inaugurated last year, to members of the public looking for a greener route across the Atlantic. With 52-meter-tall (170 feet) carbon masts and a whopping 2,100 square meters (23,000 square feet) of sail surface, these ships travel at an average of 11 nautical miles per hour, sometimes reaching as high as 17 when the winds are in their favor. In comparison, an engine-powered container ship travels at an average of around 14 nautical miles per hour. Although equipped with a backup diesel engine used for steering into port, TOWT estimates that its ships reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 90% compared to cargo vessels that use fossil fuels. And they pale in comparison to airplane emissions: 'Our carbon footprint is between five and 10 kilos (per person), compared to around a ton of CO2 if you get a plane (from Paris to New York),' says TOWT's CEO, Guillaume Le Grand. With more and more people choosing not to fly due to climate change, Le Grand noticed an increased demand for low-carbon travel. While trains are a popular alternative overland, he saw a gap in the market for transatlantic routes. 'If you want to go to America and don't want to emit any carbon emissions, two months ago, you had to swim or take a small sailboat like Greta Thunberg did,' Le Grand joked, referring to Thunberg's 2019 voyage from the UK to New York to attend a UN climate conference. 'Now, with us, you can come with your family and stay in really decent cabins.' In each ship, there will be up to six double cabins available to passengers, who share the vessel with seven or so crew members, while hundreds of pallets of goods are stored in the holds. TOWT plans to roll out a regular service on its two operational ships, Anemos and Artemis, from March, offering trips between France, the US, Colombia, Brazil and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe. The company has six more vessels under construction, and by 2027, it hopes to offer weekly departures across its fleet. Still, the ship's primary purpose is to get cargo from A to B. 'It's a passage,' Le Grand stresses, 'you're certainly not coming on a cruise vessel.' The cabins are simple: a paneled room with bunks or twin beds, a desk, a wardrobe and portholes. And while there is a communal area with bookshelves crammed with French classics and more, there is little other entertainment available, besides perhaps some yoga on the deck and the occasional workshop from a crew member, on marine knots or astronomical navigation. But guests can relax: they can read, or write a diary, observe marine fauna from the deck and get to know the crew. There is good food, Le Grand says, including fresh fish, and there is good broadband. 'People could simply work from the vessel,' he adds. For the France to New York trip, TOWT is currently charging €2,550 ($2,675), which amounts to around €150 ($155) per day, but this is expected to rise to around €200 ($210) per day once it has fine-tuned the service. The price includes accommodation, meals, and internet access, and there is no luggage limit, giving it an advantage over plane travel. But guests do need to have time and flexibility: journeys can typically vary between 15 and 20 days from France to New York; trips to Brazil or Guadeloupe will take up to 25 days, and exact arrival and departure dates may change depending on the weather. Due to the exceptionally rough weather of the last two weeks, the maiden passenger voyage had to re-route, arriving in New York after 32 days at sea, whereas a container ship would take an average of around 18 days. According to Tim Williamson, joint managing director of Responsible Travel, an agency specializing in environmentally friendly holidays, who's not involved with TOWT, there is increasing demand for 'lower carbon travel choices that help you slow down.' He says the agency has seen a 48% increase in enquiries for rail holidays over the last three years, and while he admits he has not seen much demand for transatlantic sailing, more people are looking for experiences that provide a deeper connection with the culture, wildlife and landscapes of the places they are visiting. Where TOWT has an advantage is that there are very few alternatives offering Atlantic crossings. While container ships used to offer cabins for passengers, most intercontinental services have dried up since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the vessels consume fossil fuels. There are cruise liners run by shipping line Cunard offering seven-day crossings between Europe and the US, but these also have a considerable carbon footprint. Sailing options are few and far between: Another World Adventures offers transatlantic 'adventure sailing' holidays, marketed as an experience rather than a means of transport, and Voyage Vert, a travel company looking to create a fleet of wind-powered ferries transporting passengers across the globe, is only in early concept stages. TOWT says that since announcing the service, it has received interest from more than 1,500 people, with a range of motivations. A lot of demand comes from those wanting a low-carbon journey, says Le Grand, but there are also sailing fanatics looking for an adventure, or cargo owners that want to send employees to report on the journey of their product. He estimates that the passenger service will make up around 4% of the company's revenue. The decision to introduce it was less driven by profit, he says, and more by the fact that they wanted to help fight climate change. Decarbonizing the shipping industry has always been TOWT's central goal. The sector accounts for 3% of human-caused global emissions, and despite attempts to adopt alternative fuels or develop wind-assisted technologies, the transition is proving slow. TOWT, which was founded in 2011, wanted to show that for some goods, sailing is still a viable option, and in 2022, the company upgraded its fleet. Le Grand says that for around $500 you can send a pallet, carrying about a ton of goods, from Europe to the US on one of its ships. While prices vary, fossil-fuel powered container ships cost upwards of $200 per pallet for the same journey. He says that in general TOWT is appealing to high-end customers with non-refrigerated goods, such as coffee, olive oil, wine and spirits. These companies don't mind paying a little more for a slightly longer journey with less frequent departures, if it means they can lower their emissions and give their product the 'Anemos' stamp – a label with a QR code that shows consumers it has been transported via sailboat. 'We are comfortable with the fact that we premiumize the offer,' says Le Grand. 'If you come to us, it is like when you go to an organic market. You're not going to get the cheapest, but you're going to have an organic product – something that's making a difference to your health and to the planet.' Yet increasingly TOWT's customer base is diversifying away from solely luxury products. It has received shipments of electronics from companies like Orange Telecom, as well as parts for planes and cars, and cosmetics. Le Grand believes this is a result of a volatile freight market and regulations incentivizing cargo owners to reduce their emissions. He admits that with only two ships in operation currently – carrying 2,000 tons of goods between them – it may be a drop in the ocean in terms of reducing global emissions. But he hopes that the cargo service, along with the passenger transport, helps to bolster sailing as a realistic, low-carbon alternative for transporting both cargo and people.
CNN
30-01-2025
- Business
- CNN
Carbon-conscious travelers can now sail across the Atlantic in a wind-powered cargo ship
Described as world's largest cargo ship with sails, the Artemis docked in New York on Monday afternoon after a 32-day journey from the port of Les Havre in northern France. It unloaded around 1,000 tons of French liqueur, champagne, Vilebrequin swimsuits, Bonne Maman jam – and four passengers. They were part of a test run by French startup TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), which has just opened up cabins on its fleet of cargo ships, inaugurated last year, to members of the public looking for a greener route across the Atlantic. With 52-meter-tall (170 feet) carbon masts and a whopping 2,100 square meters (23,000 square feet) of sail surface, these ships travel at an average of 11 nautical miles per hour, sometimes reaching as high as 17 when the winds are in their favor. In comparison, an engine-powered container ship travels at an average of around 14 nautical miles per hour. Although equipped with a backup diesel engine used for steering into port, TOWT estimates that its ships reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 90% compared to cargo vessels that use fossil fuels. And they pale in comparison to airplane emissions: 'Our carbon footprint is between five and 10 kilos (per person), compared to around a ton of CO2 if you get a plane (from Paris to New York),' says TOWT's CEO, Guillaume Le Grand. With more and more people choosing not to fly due to climate change, Le Grand noticed an increased demand for low-carbon travel. While trains are a popular alternative overland, he saw a gap in the market for transatlantic routes. 'If you want to go to America and don't want to emit any carbon emissions, two months ago, you had to swim or take a small sailboat like Greta Thunberg did,' Le Grand joked, referring to Thunberg's 2019 voyage from the UK to New York to attend a UN climate conference. 'Now, with us, you can come with your family and stay in really decent cabins.' In each ship, there will be up to six double cabins available to passengers, who share the vessel with seven or so crew members, while hundreds of pallets of goods are stored in the holds. TOWT plans to roll out a regular service on its two operational ships, Anemos and Artemis, from March, offering trips between France, the US, Colombia, Brazil and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe. The company has six more vessels under construction, and by 2027, it hopes to offer weekly departures across its fleet. Still, the ship's primary purpose is to get cargo from A to B. 'It's a passage,' Le Grand stresses, 'you're certainly not coming on a cruise vessel.' The cabins are simple: a paneled room with bunks or twin beds, a desk, a wardrobe and portholes. And while there is a communal area with bookshelves crammed with French classics and more, there is little other entertainment available, besides perhaps some yoga on the deck and the occasional workshop from a crew member, on marine knots or astronomical navigation. But guests can relax: they can read, or write a diary, observe marine fauna from the deck and get to know the crew. There is good food, Le Grand says, including fresh fish, and there is good broadband. 'People could simply work from the vessel,' he adds. For the France to New York trip, TOWT is currently charging €2,550 ($2,675), which amounts to around €150 ($155) per day, but this is expected to rise to around €200 ($210) per day once it has fine-tuned the service. The price includes accommodation, meals, and internet access, and there is no luggage limit, giving it an advantage over plane travel. But guests do need to have time and flexibility: journeys can typically vary between 15 and 20 days from France to New York; trips to Brazil or Guadeloupe will take up to 25 days, and exact arrival and departure dates may change depending on the weather. Due to the exceptionally rough weather of the last two weeks, the maiden passenger voyage had to re-route, arriving in New York after 32 days at sea, whereas a container ship would take an average of around 18 days. According to Tim Williamson, joint managing director of Responsible Travel, an agency specializing in environmentally friendly holidays, who's not involved with TOWT, there is increasing demand for 'lower carbon travel choices that help you slow down.' He says the agency has seen a 48% increase in enquiries for rail holidays over the last three years, and while he admits he has not seen much demand for transatlantic sailing, more people are looking for experiences that provide a deeper connection with the culture, wildlife and landscapes of the places they are visiting. Where TOWT has an advantage is that there are very few alternatives offering Atlantic crossings. While container ships used to offer cabins for passengers, most intercontinental services have dried up since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the vessels consume fossil fuels. There are cruise liners run by shipping line Cunard offering seven-day crossings between Europe and the US, but these also have a considerable carbon footprint. Sailing options are few and far between: Another World Adventures offers transatlantic 'adventure sailing' holidays, marketed as an experience rather than a means of transport, and Voyage Vert, a travel company looking to create a fleet of wind-powered ferries transporting passengers across the globe, is only in early concept stages. TOWT says that since announcing the service, it has received interest from more than 1,500 people, with a range of motivations. A lot of demand comes from those wanting a low-carbon journey, says Le Grand, but there are also sailing fanatics looking for an adventure, or cargo owners that want to send employees to report on the journey of their product. He estimates that the passenger service will make up around 4% of the company's revenue. The decision to introduce it was less driven by profit, he says, and more by the fact that they wanted to help fight climate change. Decarbonizing the shipping industry has always been TOWT's central goal. The sector accounts for 3% of human-caused global emissions, and despite attempts to adopt alternative fuels or develop wind-assisted technologies, the transition is proving slow. TOWT, which was founded in 2011, wanted to show that for some goods, sailing is still a viable option, and in 2022, the company upgraded its fleet. Le Grand says that for around $500 you can send a pallet, carrying about a ton of goods, from Europe to the US on one of its ships. While prices vary, fossil-fuel powered container ships cost upwards of $200 per pallet for the same journey. He says that in general TOWT is appealing to high-end customers with non-refrigerated goods, such as coffee, olive oil, wine and spirits. These companies don't mind paying a little more for a slightly longer journey with less frequent departures, if it means they can lower their emissions and give their product the 'Anemos' stamp – a label with a QR code that shows consumers it has been transported via sailboat. 'We are comfortable with the fact that we premiumize the offer,' says Le Grand. 'If you come to us, it is like when you go to an organic market. You're not going to get the cheapest, but you're going to have an organic product – something that's making a difference to your health and to the planet.' Yet increasingly TOWT's customer base is diversifying away from solely luxury products. It has received shipments of electronics from companies like Orange Telecom, as well as parts for planes and cars, and cosmetics. Le Grand believes this is a result of a volatile freight market and regulations incentivizing cargo owners to reduce their emissions. He admits that with only two ships in operation currently – carrying 2,000 tons of goods between them – it may be a drop in the ocean in terms of reducing global emissions. But he hopes that the cargo service, along with the passenger transport, helps to bolster sailing as a realistic, low-carbon alternative for transporting both cargo and people.
CNN
30-01-2025
- Business
- CNN
Carbon-conscious travelers can now sail across the Atlantic in a wind-powered cargo ship
Described as world's largest cargo ship with sails, the Artemis docked in New York on Monday afternoon after a 32-day journey from the port of Les Havre in northern France. It unloaded around 1,000 tons of French liqueur, champagne, Vilebrequin swimsuits, Bonne Maman jam – and four passengers. They were part of a test run by French startup TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT), which has just opened up cabins on its fleet of cargo ships, inaugurated last year, to members of the public looking for a greener route across the Atlantic. With 52-meter-tall (170 feet) carbon masts and a whopping 2,100 square meters (23,000 square feet) of sail surface, these ships travel at an average of 11 nautical miles per hour, sometimes reaching as high as 17 when the winds are in their favor. In comparison, an engine-powered container ship travels at an average of around 14 nautical miles per hour. Although equipped with a backup diesel engine used for steering into port, TOWT estimates that its ships reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 90% compared to cargo vessels that use fossil fuels. And they pale in comparison to airplane emissions: 'Our carbon footprint is between five and 10 kilos (per person), compared to around a ton of CO2 if you get a plane (from Paris to New York),' says TOWT's CEO, Guillaume Le Grand. With more and more people choosing not to fly due to climate change, Le Grand noticed an increased demand for low-carbon travel. While trains are a popular alternative overland, he saw a gap in the market for transatlantic routes. 'If you want to go to America and don't want to emit any carbon emissions, two months ago, you had to swim or take a small sailboat like Greta Thunberg did,' Le Grand joked, referring to Thunberg's 2019 voyage from the UK to New York to attend a UN climate conference. 'Now, with us, you can come with your family and stay in really decent cabins.' In each ship, there will be up to six double cabins available to passengers, who share the vessel with seven or so crew members, while hundreds of pallets of goods are stored in the holds. TOWT plans to roll out a regular service on its two operational ships, Anemos and Artemis, from March, offering trips between France, the US, Colombia, Brazil and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe. The company has six more vessels under construction, and by 2027, it hopes to offer weekly departures across its fleet. Still, the ship's primary purpose is to get cargo from A to B. 'It's a passage,' Le Grand stresses, 'you're certainly not coming on a cruise vessel.' The cabins are simple: a paneled room with bunks or twin beds, a desk, a wardrobe and portholes. And while there is a communal area with bookshelves crammed with French classics and more, there is little other entertainment available, besides perhaps some yoga on the deck and the occasional workshop from a crew member, on marine knots or astronomical navigation. But guests can relax: they can read, or write a diary, observe marine fauna from the deck and get to know the crew. There is good food, Le Grand says, including fresh fish, and there is good broadband. 'People could simply work from the vessel,' he adds. For the France to New York trip, TOWT is currently charging €2,550 ($2,675), which amounts to around €150 ($155) per day, but this is expected to rise to around €200 ($210) per day once it has fine-tuned the service. The price includes accommodation, meals, and internet access, and there is no luggage limit, giving it an advantage over plane travel. But guests do need to have time and flexibility: journeys can typically vary between 15 and 20 days from France to New York; trips to Brazil or Guadeloupe will take up to 25 days, and exact arrival and departure dates may change depending on the weather. Due to the exceptionally rough weather of the last two weeks, the maiden passenger voyage had to re-route, arriving in New York after 32 days at sea, whereas a container ship would take an average of around 18 days. According to Tim Williamson, joint managing director of Responsible Travel, an agency specializing in environmentally friendly holidays, who's not involved with TOWT, there is increasing demand for 'lower carbon travel choices that help you slow down.' He says the agency has seen a 48% increase in enquiries for rail holidays over the last three years, and while he admits he has not seen much demand for transatlantic sailing, more people are looking for experiences that provide a deeper connection with the culture, wildlife and landscapes of the places they are visiting. Where TOWT has an advantage is that there are very few alternatives offering Atlantic crossings. While container ships used to offer cabins for passengers, most intercontinental services have dried up since the Covid-19 pandemic, and the vessels consume fossil fuels. There are cruise liners run by shipping line Cunard offering seven-day crossings between Europe and the US, but these also have a considerable carbon footprint. Sailing options are few and far between: Another World Adventures offers transatlantic 'adventure sailing' holidays, marketed as an experience rather than a means of transport, and Voyage Vert, a travel company looking to create a fleet of wind-powered ferries transporting passengers across the globe, is only in early concept stages. TOWT says that since announcing the service, it has received interest from more than 1,500 people, with a range of motivations. A lot of demand comes from those wanting a low-carbon journey, says Le Grand, but there are also sailing fanatics looking for an adventure, or cargo owners that want to send employees to report on the journey of their product. He estimates that the passenger service will make up around 4% of the company's revenue. The decision to introduce it was less driven by profit, he says, and more by the fact that they wanted to help fight climate change. Decarbonizing the shipping industry has always been TOWT's central goal. The sector accounts for 3% of human-caused global emissions, and despite attempts to adopt alternative fuels or develop wind-assisted technologies, the transition is proving slow. TOWT, which was founded in 2011, wanted to show that for some goods, sailing is still a viable option, and in 2022, the company upgraded its fleet. Le Grand says that for around $500 you can send a pallet, carrying about a ton of goods, from Europe to the US on one of its ships. While prices vary, fossil-fuel powered container ships cost upwards of $200 per pallet for the same journey. He says that in general TOWT is appealing to high-end customers with non-refrigerated goods, such as coffee, olive oil, wine and spirits. These companies don't mind paying a little more for a slightly longer journey with less frequent departures, if it means they can lower their emissions and give their product the 'Anemos' stamp – a label with a QR code that shows consumers it has been transported via sailboat. 'We are comfortable with the fact that we premiumize the offer,' says Le Grand. 'If you come to us, it is like when you go to an organic market. You're not going to get the cheapest, but you're going to have an organic product – something that's making a difference to your health and to the planet.' Yet increasingly TOWT's customer base is diversifying away from solely luxury products. It has received shipments of electronics from companies like Orange Telecom, as well as parts for planes and cars, and cosmetics. Le Grand believes this is a result of a volatile freight market and regulations incentivizing cargo owners to reduce their emissions. He admits that with only two ships in operation currently – carrying 2,000 tons of goods between them – it may be a drop in the ocean in terms of reducing global emissions. But he hopes that the cargo service, along with the passenger transport, helps to bolster sailing as a realistic, low-carbon alternative for transporting both cargo and people.
