The journey is the destination - following this philosophy, the young British start-up company has developed a service that turns crossing the English Channel into an experience in itself. Since April, SailLink has been offering a shuttle service under sail between England and France. The 17-metre catamaran "Echoes" can carry up to twelve passengers and takes three and a half to five and a half hours to complete the crossing, depending on the tide. Cost: £75, or €89 per person (£40/€47 for children and £60/€71 for 17 to 25-year-olds). What's special: Travellers have the opportunity to actively participate in sailing and make crossing the English Channel an experience.
From the idea to realisation
The road to the first commercial sailing ferry across the English Channel was a long one. The project has been in the testing and feasibility phase since 2019. This was followed by a pilot phase of the alternative passenger service. A particular challenge was posed by the border procedures following Brexit, which had to be formalised. However, the company successfully overcame this hurdle. The catamaran has a protected cockpit for passengers as well as sufficient space inside for luggage and even bicycles. Customs checks should be relaxed.
Sustainable mobility at sea
While the transport of goods under sail has been gaining in importance again for some time, SailLink has transferred the concept to passenger transport.
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The reason for the renaissance of cargo ships is that the virtually emission-free transfers are not only environmentally friendly, but are also becoming increasingly interesting from an economic perspective. Experts believe that wind power has great potential for the future - whether as an alternative energy source or to support conventional propulsion systems on merchant ships in order to conserve resources and reduce emissions.
The sailing ferry as a "new" form of travelling
SailLink sees itself not only as a transport service provider, but also as a pioneer for the renaissance of a form of travel. The company's vision states: "Why should travelling under sail with the natural forces of wind and tide be considered unusual? We believe it should be the norm." What was once the backbone of maritime transport has been superseded by fossil fuels - with all the progress, but also environmental challenges, that came with it. Today, there is an opportunity to combine the best of modern technology, advanced navigation, safety systems and ship design with the timeless simplicity of sailing. In this way, SailLink aims to create an environmentally friendly travel experience that connects people with the world and helps to redefine sustainable transport for the future.
More information about the company and bookings at Saillink.co.uk
