EcoClipper started in 2018 to solve the problem of shipping pollution. However, it is clear that no one wants to stop using products from distant lands or stop traveling between continents…
That’s why we thought: let’s design a line of ships that can sail completely clean and can carry both freight and passengers. We succeeded with the EcoClipper500 design. However, the biggest challenge turned out to be financing. Initially, the large and sustainable Dutch banks were very interested, but when there was a detailed business plan with a pile of letters of intent from shippers to prove the market, these financiers did not want to participate.
In the meantime, we had conducted a survey of our equity financing network. This showed that we would raise a total of around 1 million Euros, unfortunately not enough for the new construction of an EcoClipper500. That is why we launched a campaign to first put a smaller ship into service: De Tukker.
So far we did raise over 200,000 euros, still quite a bit to go before all capital for De Tukker is in place.
After months of cutting, chipping, painting, welding, flexing and shipbuilding, the time has finally come, I can shout it from the rooftops! The bottom part of the hull of De Tukker has been completely renovated. By the bottom part of the hull I mean: the bottom from before the collision bulkhead to the engine room bulkhead, including frames and steel structure. And so we can almost speak of a completely new ship for EcoClipper.
Before De Tukker can come into service, the ship must be further completed in the coming weeks and months, and we can use all the support for this. This is possible by participating in the EcoClipper Coöperatie U.A. (link).
That is why I would like to ask you to forward this post to people in your network who find sustainability important, or who have something to do with sailing, or who work in maritime logistics.
Thank you very much in advance and fair winds,
Jorne Langelaan