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Mission Possible: an academic journey towards sustainable mobility
In May 2026, eleven SKEMA Business School students, accompanied by Bertrand Groslambert, Professor of Finance and the project’s initiator, will embark on an extraordinary journey. At the end of their spring semester on the Raleigh campus, they will return to Europe aboard a 136-metre cargo sailing vessel linking Baltimore to Saint-Nazaire via Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.
Thanks to "Mission Possible", eleven students from SKEMA’s Global BBA and Master in Management (PGE) programmes will, in 2026, take part in a pioneering academic and eco-responsible project. “The central idea is to organise a pilot voyage aboard a sailing cargo ship for a group of students travelling from the United States to France. This innovative means of transport reflects our commitment to viable, environmentally respectful solutions,” says Bertrand Groslambert, Professor at SKEMA and initiator of Mission Possible.
A pedagogical and environmental aim
The Mission Possible initiative tackles a paradox: student mobility is one of the main sources of CO₂ emissions. With this transatlantic crossing, SKEMA is proposing a credible alternative and testing a new academic framework. “Mission Possible is a key component of our Move for Good project, which promotes responsible mobility with a positive social impact,” explains Isabelle Jauny, Director of SKEMA Transitions.
A bespoke learning programme
On board the sailing vessel, students will follow a programme designed by the Directorate of Innovation and Learning Experience (DILE). Workshops, readings, logbook writing and debrief sessions will punctuate their time at sea. Upon arrival, they will be invited to share their experiences. “These adapted courses will make the journey an intense and structured learning experience, centred on reflection about climate, economic and cultural challenges,” adds Bertrand Groslambert.
Several programmes represented
The students selected by a jury come from different SKEMA programmes — Global BBA and Master in Management (PGE) — with specialisations ranging from international marketing to financial markets. This academic diversity reflects SKEMA’s desire to open the experience to future graduates from varied backgrounds, united by a shared and enriching learning journey.
A collective sailing adventure
Chartered by Sailcoop, a pioneering cooperative in sail-powered maritime transport working to develop a network of low-carbon sea routes, the Neoliner Origin combines wind propulsion and hybrid engines. “We want to demonstrate that sailing can become a collective transport solution for various distances, including transatlantic routes. Hosting students on board brings a strong educational dimension to the project,” explains Maxime de Rostolan, Chairman of Sailcoop’s Executive Board.
An initiative made possible by donors
This experience is made possible thanks to the support of the SKEMA community and its partners. The Riché Foundation, through the commitment of Marie-Azilis Riché (SKEMA 2023), member of the Foundation’s Board and granddaughter of its founders, and HEYME, represented by Cédric Romeira, Director of Development and Partnerships at HEYME, are among the main contributors. Their involvement has helped make this pilot voyage possible and fairly accessible to all.
