Bourlingue & Pacotille

What Bourlingue & Pacotille does

Bourlingue & Pacotille is a French cooperative society (SCIC – Société Coopérative d'Intérêt Collectif, structured as a Société Anonyme) founded in 2020 and headquartered at 72 rue Horace Bertin in Marseille. The cooperative operates wind-powered maritime cargo transport across the Mediterranean using a single converted sailing vessel, the Barbaranova — an 18-meter steel-hulled ship with a 5-ton cargo capacity acquired in October 2024 through a combination of sociétaire contributions (€47,600 raised toward an €80,000 crowdfunding target) and a loan from the ethical bank NEF. Since acquisition, the Barbaranova has completed 12 rotations and transported several tens of tons of agricultural goods with zero carbon emissions, sourcing from peasant farmers in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica.

The cooperative runs a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model on a WooCommerce storefront, selling Mediterranean food products — olive oil, wines, honey, dried tomatoes, capers, artisanal pastas, almonds, hazelnuts, citrus fruits, saffron, and kumquats — through one-off unit purchases, a monthly subscription basket (panier vélique), and a network of pickup points across southern France (Marseille, Forcalquier, Sisteron, Revest des Brousses), supplemented by Mondial Relay and InPost parcel delivery. The producer base is concentrated among a small number of named founding agriculteur-members (Famille Del Grillo and Agriblea in Sicily; Deperu Holler, Sa Defenza, and SELET in Sardinia; Cantina Di Torra and Famille Dupré in Corsica), who supply nearly the entire catalog.

Revenue is generated through two streams: product sales (one-off e-commerce and monthly subscriptions) and cooperative member investment (sociétaire equity contributions, priced as part of an open crowdfunding campaign). With 8 employees, the cooperative relies on editorial content, a ship's log (journal de bord), cultural storytelling, and partnerships (notably a January 2025 video documentary at Mucem) to drive awareness and sociétaire acquisition. Stated strategic intent is to scale from the single Barbaranova into a fleet of converted cargo sailing vessels, with commercial registration of the current vessel identified as the immediate next milestone.

Name

Bourlingue & Pacotille

Legal name

SCIC Bourlingue & Pacotille

Website

https://bourlingueetpacotille.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bourlingue & Pacotille is a Marseille-based SCIC cooperative founded in 2020 that uses a wind-powered cargo sailing vessel, the Barbaranova, to transport Mediterranean agricultural products from Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica to French consumers via DTC e-commerce and a monthly subscription basket, with zero carbon emissions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Product sales (e-commerce): Direct sale of Mediterranean agricultural products (olive oil, wine, honey, dried tomatoes, capers, pasta, almonds, citrus fruits, saffron, kumquats, hazelnuts) through their own online boutique. Products sourced from farmer-producers (agriculture paysanne) in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, transported by sailing ship, and sold to end consumers in France. Pricing is per unit or weight-based, with a subscription basket option ('panier vélique').
2. Cooperative membership / sociétaire investment: Individuals can become shareholders ('sociétaires') of the SCIC cooperative. Crowdfunding campaign to finance the acquisition of the first cargo sailing vessel. Already 47,600€ collected toward an 80,000€ target. This is a community-investment model where members finance the fleet expansion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Bourlingue & Pacotille operates a cooperative that sources Mediterranean agricultural products (olive oil, wines, honey, pasta, dried tomatoes, capers, almonds, hazelnuts, citrus, saffron) from peasant farmers in Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica, transports them across the Mediterranean by sailing cargo ship (the Barbaranova) with zero carbon emissions, and sells them directly to French consumers via an online boutique and a monthly subscription basket (panier vélique). The cooperative also finances fleet expansion through sociétaire share purchases (crowdfunding).

Product overview

Bourlingue & Pacotille is a SCIC (cooperative) based in Marseille operating a cargo sailing transport service in the Mediterranean. The company offers Mediterranean products transported exclusively by sailing vessel, with a 0% carbon footprint. Their core offering includes: (1) Cargo transport via their Barbaranova sailing vessel (18m steel, 5 tonnes capacity), (2) An e-commerce catalog of Mediterranean food products including: olive oils (Bio Sicile bottles and bidons), wines (Fria, 3/4, Familia, Soiffards, Suchju, Zinzinu, 1/4 de nuit from Sardinia and Corsica), honeys (Chestnut honey from Corsica), dried tomatoes, capers from Pantelleria, artisanal pastas (Malloreddos, Fregula, Caserecce, Fusilli from Sardinia), hazelnuts and almonds from Sicily/Corsica, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, kumquat, avocados), and saffron from Corsica, and (3) A subscription basket service (Panier vélique) delivering monthly Mediterranean products. All products are sourced from peasant farmers and transported via sailing, emphasizing sustainable and low-impact maritime transport.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Barbaranova sailing cargo service Wind-powered maritime freight service using the Barbaranova sailing vessel to transport Mediterranean agricultural products across the Mediterranean with 0% carbon emissions. Completed 12 rotations and tens of tons of goods transported.
• Organic Olive Oil from Sicily (bottle 75cl) Extra virgin olive oil from Sicily, produced by DEL GRILLO family estate. Cold-extracted from Nocellara and Cerasuola cultivars, bio certified, with notes of artichoke and green tomato.
• Organic Olive Oil from Sicily (5L bidon) Extra virgin olive oil from Sicily in 5-liter bidon format, bio certified, cold-extracted from Nocellara and Cerasuola cultivars. Promotional pricing from €90 to €75.
• Fria — White Wine (Sardinia) White wine from Sardinia, 75cl, 2022 vintage, 100% Vermentino, 13% alcohol. 24h skin maceration, indigenous yeasts, unfiltered and unstabilized.
• 3/4 — Natural White Wine (Sardinia) Natural white wine from Sardinia, 75cl, 2023 vintage, Vermentino and Semillan blend, with spontaneous fermentation and 15-day maceration.
• Familia — IGT Red Wine (Sardinia) Natural red wine from Sardinia, 75cl, 2021-2022 vintages, Cannonau and Muristellu blend, 7-day skin maceration and indigenous yeasts.
• Soiffards — Red Wine (Corsica) Red wine from Corsica, 0.75L, biological, 100% Niellucciu grape, with rich red fruits, plum and spices, produced by Cantina di Torra.
• Suchju — Red Wine (Corsica) Red wine from Corsica, 1L, 100% Niellucciu, with cherry and grenadine notes, fresh and persistent with silky tannins.
• Zinzinu — White Wine (Corsica) Natural white wine from Corsica, 1L, 2023 vintage, 10.5% alcohol, 100% Vermentino, with saline Mediterranean notes and natural vinification in stainless steel.
• 1/4 de nuit — White Wine (Sardinia) Experimental white wine, 0.75L, from grapes grown in Donori Sardinia, whose vinification began in Sardinia and was completed during the Mediterranean sea voyage in sailing ship holds. 200 bottles produced.
• Chestnut Honey (Corsica) — 1kg pot Chestnut honey from Corsica, 1kg pot, amber to reddish color with light woody bitterness, produced by Famille Dupré in Calenzana, Balagne.
• Chestnut Honey (Corsica) — 500g pot Chestnut honey from Corsica, 500g pot, from peasant agriculture and transported by sail.
• Sun-dried Tomatoes (Sicily) Sun-dried tomatoes from Sicily, bio certified, Ciappa variety, naturally sun-dried, sourced from Agriblea producer.
• Capers in Salt (Pantelleria, Sicily) Capers from Pantelleria (Sicily), IGP certified, preserved in salt, no preservatives or additives, medium size selected.
• Malloreddos Pasta (Sardinia) Artisanal pasta from Sardinia made from ancient wheat variety Grano Senatore Cappelli, stone-milled, bronze-drawn, slow-dried at low temperature for 36-48 hours, produced by Selet (Laura Accalai).
• Fregula Pasta (Sardinia) Fregula pasta from Sardinia, 500g, made from ancient wheat Grano Cappelli, stone-milled and slow-dried.
• Caserecce Pasta (Sardinia) Caserecce pasta from Sardinia, 500g, made from ancient wheat Grano Cappelli, bronze-drawn and slow-dried.
• Fusilli Pasta (Sardinia) Fusilli pasta from Sardinia, 500g, made from ancient wheat Grano Cappelli, bronze-drawn and slow-dried.
• Hazelnuts in Shell (Cervione, Corsica) — 1kg In-shell hazelnuts from Cervione, Corsica, IGP Nuciola di Cervioni variety (Fertile de Coutard), from peasant agriculture and transported by sail with 0% carbon emissions.
• Shelled Hazelnuts (Cervione, Corsica) Shelled hazelnuts from Cervione, Corsica, available in 500g or 1kg bags, IGP certified, organic farming.
• Bulk Almonds (Sicily) Bulk almonds from Sicily, Tuono variety, bio certified, sun-dried, ancient variety grown without irrigation in Trapani region.
• Organic Oranges (Sicily) Organic oranges from Sicily, sweet and juicy, direct from producers and transported by sail.
• Organic Lemons (Sicily) Organic lemons from Sicily, direct from producers and transported by sail.
• Kumquat (Sicily) Kumquat citrus fruit, sweet and tangy pulp, can be eaten raw or made into jam, grown in organic agriculture, direct from producers and transported by sail.
• Avocados (Sicily) Avocados from Sicily, direct from producers and transported by sail.
• Organic Saffron from Corsica (Domaine Nepali) Organic saffron from Corsica, Nepali domain, 1/2g capsule.
• Panier vélique — Monthly Subscription Basket Monthly subscription basket of curated Mediterranean culinary products transported by sailing ship to subscribers in France, including pasta, organic olive oil, honeys, organic capers and dried tomatoes, organic almonds, plus seasonal citrus and avocados from October to March.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12 rotations completed and tens of tons of goods transported carbon-free by the Barbaranova
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Les Poulets BicyclettesminorOthersGraphic design agency responsible for the visual identity and graphic design of the Bourlingue & Pacotille website and brand materials.
• Matthieu Mounier (videographer)minorOthersFreelance videographer producing video content documenting the cooperative's sailing cargo operations and voyages.
• Martin Champon (photographer)minorOthersPhotographer providing imagery for the cooperative's website and marketing materials.
• Renaud Menoud (photographer)minorOthersPhotographer providing imagery for the cooperative's website and marketing materials.
• Soizic Séon (illustrator)minorOthersIllustrator providing artwork and illustrations for the cooperative's brand and website.
• Mucem (Musée des Civilisations de l'Europe et de la Méditerranée)minorOthersMucem, the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean in Marseille, hosted a video event ('Agilenville') featuring the Barbaranova and Bourlingue & Pacotille's sailing cargo mission in January 2025.
• Famille Del Grillo (Sicily)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Del Grillo family (92-hectare farm in the province of Trapani, Sicily) supplies olive oil, capers, dried tomatoes, almonds, and citrus fruits. They have been farming for three generations using exclusively biological methods. Key supplier of Bourlingue & Pacotille's flagship olive oil products. Cultivar: Nocellara and Cerasuola. The family also contributes to cultural storytelling about Sicilian agricultural traditions.
• AGRIBLEA (Sicily)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgriblea, an azienda agricola in Ispica (southeast Sicily), produces artisanal sun-dried tomatoes ('Ciappa ri pummaroru') recognized as a PAT (traditional agri-food product) by the Sicilian Region since 2003. Produces certified organic, Biosuisse, IFS, and GlobalGAP-compliant products. Supplies dried tomatoes to Bourlingue & Pacotille.
• SA DEFENZA (Sardinia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSa Defenza, a 10-hectare winery in Donori, Sardinia (member founding agriculteur of the cooperative), produces natural wines including the '1/4 de nuit' — a white wine whose juice was vinified in Sardinia then transported across the Mediterranean by sailing ship. Cultivates indigenous grape varieties with some vines over 70 years old. Practices synergistic agriculture.
• DEPERU HOLLER (Sardinia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeperu Holler, a 6-hectare winery in northern Sardinia overlooking Lake Coghinas, is managed by Carlo and Tatiana (Sardo-Brazilian couple). Produces natural wines (Fria white Vermentino, Familia red) using biological viticulture without herbicides or inorganic fertilizers. Wine supplier to Bourlingue & Pacotille.
• SELET – Laura Accalai (Sardinia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSELET, a cereal farm in Tuili, central Sardinia, run by Laura Accalai since the 1990s, focuses on ancient wheat variety Grano Senatore Cappelli under organic farming rules. Produces artisanal Sardinian pastas (Malloreddos, Fregula, Caserecce, Fusilli) stone-milled and slow-dried for 36–48 hours. Supplies pasta products to Bourlingue & Pacotille.
• CANTINA DI TORRA (Corsica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCantina Di Torra, managed by Julie Romanetti and Nicolas Mariotti Bindi in Oletta, Corsica (member founding agriculteur of the cooperative), produces natural wines (Soiffards, Zinzinu, Suchju) using minimal intervention: no inputs during vinification except limited SO2, copper/sulfur treatments reduced, manual harvest in 500L crates. Supplies Corsican wines to Bourlingue & Pacotille.
• Famille DUPRÉ (Corsica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dupré family (Marie, Franck, and Colin) has been producing AOP Corsican honey in Calenzana, Balagne for over 40 years. Colin Dupré now runs the apiary. Produces chestnut honey recognized as among the best (featured on France Inter). Member founding agriculteur of the cooperative. Supplies honey products to Bourlingue & Pacotille.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fairtransport: Dutch pioneer of wind-powered cargo shipping in northern European waters. Closely comparable low-carbon short-sea freight model, although organized as a private operator rather than a cooperative.
• TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport): French sailing cargo company operating wind-powered freight routes and selling traceable transported goods to European consumers. Closest analog to Bourlingue & Pacotille in combining wind-powered cargo with a customer-facing brand, though operating on Atlantic rather than Mediterranean routes.
• Tres Hombres / SV Tres Hombres Foundation: Brigantine-rigged sailing cargo vessel distributing rum, wine, coffee, and olive oil across Europe. Comparable wind-powered cargo + branded specialty food distribution model.
• Eco Fregata / North Sea Sailing Cargo: North Sea sailing cargo initiatives operating converted cargo sailing ships with similar zero-emission transport goals. Comparable operational model in a different sea basin.
• Grain de Sail: French company sailing cargo between Europe and the Americas and selling its own branded coffee, chocolate, and grocery products DTC. Directly comparable in marrying zero-carbon sail transport with a packaged-food DTC business.
• Sailcoop: French cooperative (SCIC) operating cargo sailing vessels between France and overseas territories. Highly comparable cooperative governance and wind-powered freight model; serves as a near-perfect structural peer even if routes differ.

Others

• Le réseau Cocagne: Federation of French organic farming and solidarity-based market gardens. Relevant adjacent ecosystem that connects peasant agriculture with French consumers, sharing values and producer-network overlap with Bourlingue & Pacotille.

Emerging players

• Éthiquable: French SCIC cooperative sourcing fair-trade and organic products directly from smallholder farmer cooperatives. Comparable cooperative structure, farmer-direct sourcing, and ethical food positioning, though distribution is conventional.
• La Louve Coopérative: Paris-based member-owned food cooperative selling curated grocery products directly to consumer-members. Comparable cooperative retail model and curated grocery assortment, though without the wind-powered logistics differentiator.
• Day by Day (Monoprix franchise): French franchise network of zero-waste bulk grocery stores selling unpackaged Mediterranean and grocery staples. Comparable curation of artisanal Mediterranean products for conscious consumers, though via physical retail rather than sailing freight.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@bourlingueetpacotille
• Facebookfacebook.com/bourlinguepacotille
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bourlingueetpacotille
• Instagraminstagram.com/bourlingueetpacotille

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bourlingue & Pacotille