Offering a more tranquil mode of transport, especially after the crowded airports, SailLink aims to create a regular ferry route between the UK and France. Not by diesel-chugging ships but by wind-powered sailboats and catamarans. As the startup puts it, “Sailing the short distance between the UK and mainland Europe should be a normality and a non-exclusive form of public transport.” SailLink’s first route is between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer, with crossings taking between three-and-a-half and five hours, depending on the tides. A September 2022 pilot phase will validate procedures, crossing times and passenger needs.
Companies interested in seeing the concept become a regular service can support SailLink by buying logo space on the pilot phase vessel.