by: Capt. Jorne Langelaan
At this stage of running the EcoClipper company our main goal is to spread the story about the return of sail. Thankfully this story is very compelling, so nationally and internationally it ignites interest wherever it is being told.
This story starts thousands of years ago, when the first people settled along rivers and estuaries, used tree branches on their rafts to make use of the wind for propulsion. From that moment on the sailing vessel became the most effective long-distance vehicle. In the 19th century that all changed when burning fossil fuels replaced the wind as source of energy. That the transition from sail to steam also marked the start of climate change which can barely be seen as a coincidence.
Nowadays 90% of everything we use, is being shipped over sea once or several times in its production process. The shipping industry emits more greenhouse gasses, than the entire economy of the country of Germany.
Anybody who is serious about wanting to bring climate change to a halt, or preserve any of the natural life on earth, would agree that we ought to transition to a different sort of shipping. First of all, only those products should be shipped which could absolutely not been produced locally. What is left should be transported by emission free sailing vessels, built and run by EcoClipper and other cargo sailors.
Throughout the past months this story has been passed on during many occasions. In countless individual meetings with banks, shipping companies and other potential partners. During presentations in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, The Hague and even as far from the sea as Zurich in Switzerland…
If you want to join in making EcoClipper reality, you can now host a presentation at your house, school, company or event. Do not hesitate to come in contact, and I am delighted to present the story about the return of sail.
Sailing Pepper – The Journey of Pepper from Kampot to Germany
There is added value by transporting pepper on an engineless sailing ship. Sebastian argues that by doing so Hennes’ Finest is “focussing on the wellbeing of everybody involved” as well as the environmental benefits.
In the Beginning – The Journey of Pepper from Kampot to Germany
Three EcoClipper team members sat down with Sebastian Brimmers from pepper company Hennes’ Finest. Coffee in hand, we talked about the history of Kampot pepper, the farmers behind the produce, potential for sailing pepper across the world from Cambodia to Europe, and the consumers.
A step forward – the EcoClipper500 prototype half-hull model
We at EcoClipper officially received the half-hull model of the EcoClipper 500 prototype. Our half hull model was crafted by ship carpenter Leo Boogerd, in cooperation with Bert van Baar of the Bootbouw school and Marijke de Jong, a specialist in square-rigging and yacht design.
