Café William, a leading Canadian coffee importer with a commitment to sustainability, has partnered with TransOceanic Wind Transport (TOWT) to embark on a groundbreaking initiative in maritime transport. This collaboration marks the inaugural voyage of a new, wind-powered cargo ship, carrying the equivalent of 50 shipping containers filled with green coffee beans, including those sourced from the ANEI cooperative in Colombia. This venture represents a significant expansion from Café William’s trial run in December 2023 and demonstrates the company’s dedication to decarbonizing its supply chain.
A New Era for Sustainable Coffee Transport
The partnership with TOWT reflects Café William’s mission to find alternatives to fossil-fuel-based cargo shipping. Serge Picard, Chief Innovation and Commercial Officer of Café William, emphasized the importance of this initiative in aligning with the company’s vision of sustainability. The expanded cargo capacity of the wind-powered vessel is poised to meet growing demand, allowing Café William to pursue its goal of zero-emission coffee transportation.
Decarbonizing Maritime Transport
TOWT, an organization aiming to revolutionize maritime shipping by utilizing wind-powered vessels, views this collaboration as a critical step toward transforming the industry. According to Guillaume Le Grand, TOWT’s Co-founder and CEO, the goal is to offer a sustainable alternative to traditional cargo ships, while ensuring that these vessels remain competitive in terms of speed and efficiency. The inaugural voyage of TOWT’s first modern sailing cargo ship is a significant milestone, with Café William as a key partner in the venture.
Supporting Indigenous Coffee Producers
A portion of the coffee beans aboard the TOWT vessel comes from the ANEI cooperative, which is dedicated to strengthening Colombia’s Indigenous communities and promoting economic resilience. These beans, certified organic and Fairtrade for over a decade, are a testament to Café William’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable agriculture. The partnership with ANEI highlights the positive social and environmental impact that can result from collaborations between businesses and farming communities.
Fairtrade and Organic Coffee for a Greener Future
Café William, known for its commitment to organic and Fairtrade-certified coffee, continues to foster sustainable practices through this initiative. Fairtrade certification ensures that farmers receive fair compensation and support, while organic coffee production promotes a chemical-free and ecologically balanced farming environment. Julie Francoeur, CEO of Fairtrade Canada, praised the collaboration between Café William and the ANEI cooperative as a model for positive change within the coffee industry.
Innovative Roasting Techniques for Reduced Emissions
Once the green coffee beans arrive in Canada, they will be roasted at Café William’s state-of-the-art facility in Québec. This facility houses the world’s first fully electric industrial coffee roaster, which has the capacity to process up to 20 million pounds of coffee annually. By utilizing this innovative technology, Café William expects to reduce its carbon footprint by avoiding approximately 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
A Sustainable Coffee Experience for Consumers
This November, coffee enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample the fruits of Café William’s sustainable efforts with the limited edition Wind Series. These beans, sourced from the ANEI cooperative, will be available at Costco locations across Canada, as well as through the Café William website and other participating retailers. By making these sustainably sourced products accessible to consumers, Café William is helping to pave the way for a more environmentally conscious coffee industry.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Globe News Wire
