On Friday, August 28, the Port of Montreal welcomed a visitor unlike any other: the Neoliner Origin, the world’s largest sailing cargo ship currently in operation. On board were 1,000 tonnes of organic green coffee from Latin America.
Behind this operation is Café William, a Sherbrooke-based company with a clear ambition: to combine its passion for coffee with the most environmentally responsible approach possible—a vision it has pursued since Rémi Tremblay took the helm in 2018.
In addition to sourcing its coffee beans from organic and fair-trade cooperatives, Café William is working to reduce the environmental footprint of their transportation. With this goal in mind, the company chose to explore a still-uncommon solution: a sailing cargo ship.
After some 20 days at sea, the cargo unloaded at the Port of Montreal included 1,000 tonnes of green coffee from Colombia and Honduras—enough to make more than 8.5 million cups of coffee! Café William hopes to repeat the operation at least once a year, which would allow approximately 40% of its annual coffee volume to be transported by sail.
The journey does not end at the Port of Montreal. Once unloaded, the coffee beans are transported to Café William’s facilities in Sherbrooke, where they are roasted. Built in 2023 and LEED Silver certified, the company’s new plant is also the first in the world to use large-scale electric roasting. From packaging and production methods to freight transportation and facility design, every action counts!
A remarkable vessel
A sailing ship transporting cargo? The concept took shape about 15 years ago. Founded by merchant navy officers, French company Neoline set out to build a fleet of sailing cargo ships and offer a more environmentally responsible alternative to conventional shipping, which generates approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Launched in 2025, the 136-metre-long Neoliner Origin is now the world’s largest sailing cargo ship in operation. It features two 76-metre-high, self-supporting carbon masts and travels under wind power alone up to 70% of the time, with diesel-electric engines providing auxiliary propulsion. This technology allows it to generate up to 80% fewer GHG emissions than a conventional vessel of a comparable size.
Curious to taste coffee carried by the wind? Look for Café William’s Alizé blend, which will soon be available as a limited edition.
(Photo from Port of Montreal)