Mission

“…an adventure under sail: trading, sharing, feasting and daring our way to a sustainable future!”

The New Dawn Traders

The New Dawn Traders is a project born from a passion for life and living within the planets means. Our voyages are symbolic, trading goods under sail, following the trade winds and connecting with people along the way.

Our first voyage, for six months from February – July 2012, was aboard the worthy ship Irene, normally berthed in Bristol. Irene is the last of the west country ketches still under sail, built in 1907 in Bridgwater.

After many reincarnations she had been relaunched as a trading and training vessel. By sailing the last of a kind we hope to shine a light on a future vision of shipping. Waiting in the wings there are a number of high tech sailing cargo ships waiting to be built but is there a market for low carbon cargo, and can public opinion help to drive a revolution in shipping?

The journey was long and full of uncertainty. Our 10 strong international crew came from all walks of life sharing an adventure in idealism and exchange, irreverence for conventions and an appetite for dreaming. Our trade was in ethical goods, but also in ideas and education, food and the celebration of life.

We departed from Plymouth on Valentines day with a cargo of organic beer from Exeter brewery destined for Brest in Brittany. We then headed to Vigo in Spain to fill our hold with fine Olive oil before skirting the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands destined for the Caribbean. We caught the wind through the Caribbean islands collecting rum, spices and chocolate before setting our sails for Bristol. Returning home and dry with our low carbon cargo and a ship full of stories.

We, the New Dawn Traders, invite you to join us along the way by following our story. The journey has only just began.

Our purpose…

Actively campaign for sail trade, the slow cargo movement and to reconnect people with the seas.

Our strategy…

  • Collaboration with sail cargo pioneers
  • Mapping of existing sail fleet
  • Identifying business / brands dreaming of low carbon freight
  • Connecting buyers with sellers through sail trade routes
  • Driving consumer awareness of sail shipped goods
  • sharing stories!

Please get in touch:

  • If you are inspired to support the project in any way
  • If you would like to promote us
  • If we can deliver a cargo for you
  • If you just want to find out more

email: lucy@newdawntraders.com or info@newdawntraders.com

twitter: @newdawntraders & @lucygilliam