Expocacer, a Brazilian coffee growers cooperative, has made history by completing its first coffee shipment via a sailing ship. The shipment, equivalent to 1,596 sixty-kilogram bags of coffee (or five containers), was loaded onto the sail-powered cargo vessel Artemis, destined for Europe. The initiative marks a significant advancement in sustainable logistics within the coffee supply chain. The Artemis, a newly built vessel in France, operates primarily using solar and wind energy, with a combustion engine used only when wind conditions are insufficient. This innovation allows the ship to function with minimal carbon emissions.
The project is a collaboration between Expocacer, Seaforte, FAFCoffees, Belco, and TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT). It is designed to reduce carbon emissions and meet the increasing global demand for environmentally sustainable production and transport practices. The coffee on board includes Controlled-Origin beans, fully produced by Expocacer members within the Cerrado Mineiro Designation of Origin, ensuring product traceability and authenticity.
“By embracing innovative practices, we contribute to the growth of the coffee ecosystem while fostering transparency and sustainability for the planet and its people,” said Simão Pedro de Lima, CEO of Expocacer.
The Artemis spans 81 meters in length and 12 meters in width, carrying a crew of at least eight members. The vessel’s journey from Brazil to France is expected to take approximately 20 days. Based in Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, Expocacer supports over 740 members, promoting regional economic development. With a storage capacity exceeding one million coffee bags, the cooperative exports to more than 35 countries across five continents.
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