When Greencarrier Liner Agency Denmark sets sail with young people on board the ship Aalekvasen, something remarkable happens.
What starts as nervousness and uncertainty soon turns into trust, teamwork, and a sense of calm – both at sea and within.
The initiative is part of a Greencarrier Spirit–funded project, where Greencarrier Liner Agency Denmark collaborates with local schools to give children and young students with different challenges the opportunity to experience life at sea. Through sailing, they explore teamwork, responsibility, and self-belief in a way that classrooms not always can offer.
A collaboration built on trust and care
It all began, fittingly, at sea.
“Do you remember how we met?” smiles Captain Stine from Aalekvasen. “We first sailed together during The Ocean Race – and that’s where the idea was born. We realized how much potential there was in using sailing to reach and inspire young people.”
Since then, the collaboration between Aalekvasen and Greencarrier Liner Agency has grown into something truly meaningful – blending maritime tradition, local engagement, and Greencarrier’s core values of commitment and involvement.
Helping students find calm in motion
For many of the students, it’s their first time on the open water. Some are excited, others hesitant. But as one teacher explains, it’s about preparing them not through pressure, but through trust and encouragement.
“I have to be firm and not force them in an unpleasant way but rather be inspiring – showing them that it’s an experience I’m sure they will enjoy,” says one of the teachers who joined the sailing day. “I prepare them to feel safe, because some people can feel uneasy when it comes to water. But the crew here really know what they’re doing. Their passion and professionalism create a sense of security – the students can feel that.”
That sense of safety is where transformation begins. Once the initial restlessness fades, something shifts.
“It usually takes about a day,” the teacher continues. “At first, they’re impatient – not sure what’s coming. But then, being out on the water, the calm and atmosphere starts to affect them. Their arousal decreases, the pace slows down. They begin to relax, to feel. And as an adult, it’s a beautiful experience to see that calm spread – to know that I’m part of something they’ll carry with them.”
Small moments, lasting impact
For the crew, it’s equally rewarding. The young participants may start the day hesitant, but by the time they return to shore, they’ve often found a spark – a mix of pride, joy, and belonging.
“They read people so well,” says the teacher. “They can sense who truly cares. And the Aalekvasen crew – their engagement and energy – make a deep impression.”
Through these small but powerful experiences, the project embodies what Greencarrier Spirit stands for: using our resources, time, and passion to make a positive difference for people and communities.
Beyond the horizon
The Aalekvasen collaboration is a reminder that sustainability isn’t just about the environment – it’s also about social sustainability: creating opportunities, building confidence, and giving young people experiences that expand their sense of what’s possible.
As Captain Stine reflects:
“It started with a simple sail during The Ocean Race. Now, it’s something that brings people together – students, teachers, and our team – in a way that reminds us why we do what we do.”
Out on the water, surrounded by wind, waves, and teamwork, the young sailors learn something far greater than how to hoist a sail – they learn to believe in themselves.
The Aalekvasen project is supported by the Greencarrier Spirit Fund and driven by Greencarrier Liner Agency in Denmark, in collaboration with local schools and the sailing ship Aalekvasen. Together, they’re proving that when care and courage meet, the horizon is only the beginning.
