Welcome to Raybel Charters, a maritime heritage community company that mixes business, activism and creativity.
Spanning themes of water, trade, transport, and nature, we collaborate with communities to create innovative and inclusive arts, education and heritage projects, based on the maritime heritage and ecology of the Thames estuary.
Our Thames sailing barge Raybel is now sailing and available for charter, having been restored on Milton Creek, Sittingbourne between 2021 and 2025, just yards from where she was first launched in 1920.
On the global scale, we are part of a cross-ocean network, transporting cargo by sail ship. We import produce to London, from small-scale community producers in Colombia, the Caribbean, Portugal and France, with the final stage of the journey up the Thames made by Raybel.
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Sail Cargo Shop
Raw Colombian cane sugar in 500g bags
Producer : Seynekun Certification, an association of indigenous families in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia.
Certified organic
Panela is a handcrafted raw cane sugar. Made using traditional methods of simply extracting the juice from sugar cane and boiling to evaporate water. Nothing more, no further refining and no added ingredients. It retains a natural caramel aroma and taste. Unrefined and grown with respect for the environment, it is a healthy and authentic alternative to industrial sugars.
Sourced by Comptoir d’Eole
Shipped by sail 2025 on the Ide Min
Producer
ASOSEYNEKUN - an association of Arhuaco indigenous producers founded in 2010 in Pueblo Bello, Colombia. Organic, fair-trade, sustainable farming with social commitment. https://gruposeynekun.co/
Certified organic
Locality
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Varieties
Castillo, Tabi, Colombia, Criollos
Process
Washed, fermentation 16 to 28 hours
Harvest
2024/25
Sourced by
Comptoir d’Eole
Roasting
Vagabond, Holloway Rd, London, November 2025
Taste
Fruits, chocolate, and cane sugar. Citrus notes in the aftertaste
Acidity
Medium
Voyage
Sailed from Santa Marta, Colombia onboard Ide Min to Amsterdam, April - June 2025.
75% - dark fruity chocolate with roasted cocoa nibs. Made from Trinitario cocoa.
40% - Fresh, creamy milk chocolate with the taste of caramel, almond, and a hint of sea salt.
Cocoa beans brought by the sailing ship Tres Hombres from the Caribbean, with the bars created in Amsterdam by Chocolate Makers
The much admired Raybel T, with cargo call to action and Raybel sail plan design. As seen on the NY subway. 100% cotton.
Join the Raybellians - become a member
As we move into a new phase for Raybel a core membership base will be vital to cover some of the costs of maintaining Raybel and keeping Raybel Charters producing new projects and involving more people.
Membership starts at just £5 / month with member benefits including free sails and invites to member get togethers on Raybel.
Get Involved
We're always seeking passionate individuals to join the team and contribute to our various projects, from maintenance work on Raybel, to sail cargo, to running open days and events
