Istia Aigaiou - Aegean Sails SCE

The Sailing Transport in the Aegean Sea was initiated by the global need for the elimination of fossil fuels to address global warming from the greenhouse effect. Specific to maritime transport, Sailing Transport in the Atlantic of quality/ecological products started in 2010 with rebuilt traditional vessels and has made significant strides. Today, new modern sailing vessels are being built by Grain de Sail, TOWT and NEOLINE to significantly increase maritime transport with a small to zero carbon footprint.  In Greece, the small team created in 2016 is experimentally implementing the solution in the Aegean and Western Mediterranean.  The connection of the Aegean islands based also on the maritime tradition is the basic idea that Istia Aigaiou SCE, founded in 2019 as a legal entity, undertook to develop.

The mission of Istia Aigaiou is to establish ecological maritime transport without fossil fuels, combining the sailing transport of Aegean products with agro-ecological, gastronomic and cultural tourism in the Aegean and the Mediterranean.

Our aim is to ensure the interconnection of the islands with each other and with the ports of the western Mediterranean and the transport of goods using alternative energy sources, linking wind to electrification, thus contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport. Through this, a paradigm of transport and interconnection of islands with limited or zero emissions is created, with the ultimate aim of multiplying it and through its efficiency creating a clean environmentally friendly transport model. At the same time, the productive potential of the islands is enhanced through the creation of new markets and the marketing of sustainable Greek products and services.

In almost five years of official operation, Istia Aigaiou has succeeded:

• A network of 60 producers of traditional products of the Aegean and 25 catering and/or selling businesses that are systematically served by sailing transport.
• A team of staff and volunteers that grows and strengthens the project.
• The conversion of the electric solar sailing vessel PELAGO which continues experimental sailing transport at minimal cost until funding is found for a flotilla of larger sailing vessels.
• The practical experience of transmission techniques using only wind and solar energy, today unique worldwide.
• Four innovation awards: the Green Idea Greece, Climaccelerator, Venture Impact award & Blue Growth Piraeus.
•  The approval of the financing of two projects from the Greek Green Fund for the study, inventory and replacement of fossil fuels with solar and wind energy.
• A network of sponsors, supporters and advisors in areas such as finance, sustainability, entrepreneurship, etc.
• The auspices of the Ministry of Tourism from 2020 for the Aegean Cargo Sailing action.
• 40 eco travellers who lived a unique experience and supported our action not only financially, but also as messengers of our action in foreign countries.

At the start of 2024, the project built up a track record of success on a small experimental scale. The feasibility of a new model of alternative maritime transport serving the ecological perpetual economy in Greece, the Eastern Mediterranean and the connection with Western Europe based on renewable energy sources, wind and solar, has been demonstrated.