The historic sailing ship Eye of the Wind will be stopping in Malta as part of a project to raise awareness about marine sustainability.

The 1911 brig will sail to Malta on August 12 carrying a cargo of craft and organic products from Sardinia – including wine, olive oil and cheese – as a symbolic act to inaugurate the Mediterranean Sail Cargo renaissance.

The visit is part of a research project coordinated by Green Isles Projects, together with the Gżira local council and Friends of Manoel Island for Eco Marine.

The research, carried out during the EU Presidency, explored ways of creating blue jobs, promoting an emission-free marine policy and guaranteeing the integrity of organic and sustainable products.

The Eye of the Wind will be welcomed to Malta with a ceremony to promote the benefits of emission-free cargo, with music and street food.

The event is linked to an ambitious project to use ecological cargo transport using only the wind

Primary and secondary school students will be invited to visit on August 12 between 3pm and 5pm, when the crew will present an educational programme about traditional vessels and seamanship.

“Malta’s geographical position, its mild winter climate and the growing sensitivity to pressing ecological issues of its citizens, political representatives and social, educational and business organisations makes the island an ideal spot to concentrate sail-cargo activities,” the organisers said.

The event is linked to an ambitious project seeking to transform the historic 30-metre freighter SV Brigantes, sister ship to the Eye of the Wind, to be used for ecological cargo transport and releasing zero emissions through propulsion using only the wind and self-produced electricity.