Our mission? Carbon-free transport.
You too can play an active part in developing low-carbon transport by being selective about the coffee and cacao you buy. We have chosen this more sustainable means of transport not as a sales argument or communication strategy, but because it’s an essential part of our commitment to bring you sustainable coffees and cacaos from start to finish. By 2030, we will be transporting almost all our products to Europe by sail!
What’s the problem?
Fact: Maritime transport causes a lot of environmental damage.
Did you know ?
A single container ship consumes 200,000 litres of heavy fuel oil a day. Freight rates between China and Europe saw a 13-fold increase in 2021.
What else?
Preparing for new legislation
The cost of one tonne of CO2 (the famous carbon tax) has tripled, rising from €30 in February 2021, to €80 in July 2022, to €100 in March 2023.
This summer, the carbon quota system was extended to include maritime transport.
Preparing for the future?
If this amount were to double again, reaching €200 per tonne, sail cargo would become less expensive than its carbon equivalent.
Conventional transport vs. sail cargo: Our comparison!
100% sustainable coffees? Almost!
Conventional transport
Distance and journey time
16,000 km with transhipment
30 to 45 days
Effect on quality
No control over the coffee storage environment + Overheating in containers
Effect on oceans
Impact on marine life
Noise pollution
Acidification
Eutrophication of oceans
Product promotion
No claims or special arguments
Cost of transport
€0.08 / 250 g pack of coffee
Transport by sail
- Distance and journey time
8,000 km by direct route
20 days on average - Effect on quality
Custom transport for specialty coffees, with temperature and humidity control - CO2 impact
-90% CO2 (2 g of CO2 per km and per tonne of coffee) - Effect on the oceans
None - Cost of transport
+€1 per kilo - Product promotion
Concrete arguments
Product claims on packaging
Sales pitch
Strong commitment throughout the supply chain
When?
August 2024
940 tonnes arrive from Colombia
November 2024
940 tonnes arrive from Brazil
February 2025
Repeat the process with Colombia!
June 2025
New routes from Ethiopia & Central America
2030
All our coffees shipped by sailboat
Technical sailing cargo ship data
In 2022, Belco signed an exclusive charter contract with TOWT for the international transport of its coffee. Put simply, we rent out the total hold capacity of TOWT’s ships between our coffee’s ports of origin and destination. These vessels are as technically sophisticated as a competitive sailboat while offering the logistical efficiency of a commercial vessel.
Technique
Electricity generated by hydro generators and solar panels
Dimensions
80 m long
Sails
3 000 m2
Load
1 000 tonnes
Crossing time
Colombia → Le Havre: 18 days
Brazil → Le Havre: 22 days
Leader in low-carbon transport
TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) is a French sailing company founded in 2011.
In 2021, TOWT officially became a company with a mission.
“TOWT has set itself the mission of reducing carbon emissions from maritime transport, using the power of the wind to create a simpler, more transparent mode of transport less dependent on hydrocarbons.”
TOWT is the “ shipowner”, as owner and operator of the sailing vessel, while Belco is a “charterer”, in other words we hire its carrying capacity.
Our coffees: Sustainable from A to Z.
Quality
Sustainable, high-quality specialty coffees
Clean transport
A certified, low-carbon mode of transport supported by concrete data
Transparency
Fully transparent pricing
Groundbreaking
A high added-value, forward-looking project
Valuable
Products with added value, throughout the supply chain