Shuttle ferry service with sailing catamaran

2 July 2024

French maritime passenger transport cooperation Sailcoop launched its first fixed short-distance service from Concarneau in Brittany to the Les Glénan archipelago on 15 June 2024 with a sailing catamaran for 80 passengers.

This is a summer service from June to September, mainly for Finistère residents and tourists. The 20-km crossing takes a maximum of 2.5 hours. To achieve that, a diesel engine is also on board, but Sailcoop expects 85-95% autonomy under sail. The very light catamaran Isabelle sails from 6 knots of wind and reaches a cruising speed of 8 knots. An electric auxiliary engine been dispensed with. Its associated heavy batteries been would have made the lightweight concept impossible. Sailing as much as possible is the goal.

The Isabelle was designed by VPLP Design, known for fast competition catamarans with hydrofoils, as well as the Canopée, a transport ship equipped with WingSails build especially for transport of Ariane missiles. The Isabelle was built at the ‘Chantier de l’Arsenal‘ shipyard in La Rochelle, which specialises in large catamarans for day charter and passenger transport.

Founded in 2021, the Sailcoop cooperation’s mission is to provide low-carbon alternatives for passenger transport by sea, sailing wherever possible. Backed by more than 2,500 members, the team based in Lorient, Vannes, Marseille and Paris, is working hard to develop new routes, but also as a booster to get the transport sector moving and accelerate the ecological transition.

After opening the first route in 2022 between the mainland and Corsica with a 50-foot monohull, carrying more than 1,200 passengers in two seasons, the team decided to take an interest in short-haul connections with a catamaran designed for regular passenger transport.

Backed by more than 2,500 members, the team, based in Lorient, Vannes, Marseille and Paris, is working hard to develop new routes, but also to get the transport sector moving and accelerate the ecological transition.

Windassist sponsor