SailLink: Supporting the Future of Cross-Channel Travel

31 March 2026

One of TransEurope Marinas’ primary objectives has always been about making international cruising easier and more accessible for boaters. This means looking at new ways of connecting our members, particularly given the recent challenges with moving between the UK and the EU.

Where this involves an introduction to sailing, all the better. Cue SailLink, a low-carbon sailing ferry service operating directly between two member destinations: Dover Marina in the UK and Boulogne-sur-Mer in France. Running between April and October, SailLink provides a very welcome opportunity to cross the Channel and get a feel for associated coastal marinas, without using industrial ferry terminals, air travel and the associated queues.

Founder Andrew Simons expressed his enthusiasm for the route:

“I had not been aware that we have connected two of the TransEurope Marinas but am delighted to find that we are and hope that it will encourage a sense of connectedness and an active collaboration between our two ports.”

A rising tide for wind power

Taking place aboard the 17-metre catamaran Echoes, SailLink embodies the viability of wind for scheduled transport, following a modern revival of commercial sail power. French forerunners like TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) and Grain de Sail, having established a successful commercial cargo model using wind power, have now expanded to an industrial scale, commissioning next-generation sailing giants to meet a growing global demand for zero-carbon shipping.

Other innovative companies such as Beyond the Sea developed by Yves Parlier, use high-altitude, automated kites to provide a powerful supplementary pull for everything from racing yachts to fishing boats and heavy cargo ships.

An attractive solution for eco-travellers

Carrying up to twelve foot-passengers and cyclists across the Channel under sail, SailLink also offers the general public an accessible sailing experience. A reasonable four-to-five-hour trip, where the destination country is sometimes visible from the outset, means that even those new to sailing are unlikely to feel too disconnected from dry land. The boat sails with the tide, and clear forecasts ensure that passengers receive a couple of days’ notice should crossings be cancelled.

Border checks are handled directly at the boat, and each destination has been carefully selected to enable convenient onward travel via public transport. Furthermore, the service aims to do more than just move people between a and b, with partnerships in place to include instruments on board that measure environmental parameters.

As Simons explains:

“Incorporating citizen science into our crossings provides an extra educational activity for passengers, whilst for SailLink it’s another meaningful step to being more than simply a commercial transport service.”

Extending the network

Simons is keen to expand the network to incorporate new ferry routes. Suitability criteria beyond pontoon berthing for a 17-20m catamaran include relatively unrestricted access from the sea, easy access by train or bike and suggestions for a partner port to form a route of max 70 nautical miles. Above all he seeks genuine constructive interest in supporting the project.

To learn more about this exciting new ferry service, explore the website: www.saillink.co.uk