The Center for Post Carbon Logistics (CPCL) was born as a project proposal for a Good Work Institute fellowship that was based around Andrew Willner’s career as shipwright, sailing vessel captain, short sea shipping consultant, and New York Baykeeper. In part because of so much positive response, the fellowship inspired the formation of the organization.  Simultaneously, with an introduction to Captain Sam Merrett, founder and captain of the Schooner Apollonia (a 64 foot cargo vessel), sail freight was once again alive on the Hudson River.

Apollonia and CPCL have partnered on many occasions, most notably on The Andrus Sustainable Logistics Fellowship, a CPCL sponsored fall 2024 cargo run, and a special coffee delivery from New Jersey to Kingston for the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s 2024  gala. CPCL and Sam collaborated with the Hudson River Maritime Museum on a sail freight conference in 2022, which paired with their exhibit A New Age of Sail, examining the long history and potential future of sailing cargo vessels on the Hudson River. 

CPCL worked extensively with the University of Vermont in 2025-2026 to achieve several key steps to reviving the fleet: With the School of Engineering to develop intermodal container systems for cargo bikes and small vessels, and the Grossman School of Business to develop the Sail Freight Business Handbook as a guide to policy makers and entrepreneurs looking to expand the US coastal fleet. In addition, CPCL was invited to teach aspiring business leaders in the Sustainable Innovation MBA Supply Chains class about the practical elements of decarbonizing the Logistics Chain.

Since its inception just a few years ago, CPCL has developed the capacity to deliver on educating, advocating, and engineering for small ports and small vessels to revive sustainable short sea shipping in the US. We are designing near zero emission ships, small port systems, and creating relationships with the region’s businesses, educational institutions, and others to train future mariners, shipwrights, and longshore professionals. Our work across multiple sectors has allowed us to be a reliable and effective partner for change locally, regionally, and internationally.