Cargo Sail Renaissance

[Skipper Solo]

Laudable initiative - it may even make a 0.000001 market share, now that the Baltic Dry Index is at a historical low.

Vintage ketch sets sail to launch slow cargo movement | Environment | The Guardian

[boatman61]

Nice one...
used to dream about being an 'Island Trader' back in the 60's..

[deckofficer]

I've done break bulk and it was more enjoyable than containers just because of the out of the way ports that can't handle a container ship, like Easter Island.

[chp]

Neat story. We better start to look at alternatives to using oil. There will come a day when its going to be worth more than gold. The wind and the sun are free. Maybe some day a combination of both will change ocean transportation.

[P Valdeolmillos]

Although it is something that will probably never work at a large scale, I hope they succeed just to make a point.

There was a similar initiative in the past (that I read of) where a French company planned to ship wines from France to the US in a similar classic ship, but I believe they --unfortunately-- didn't succeed. I can't remember the name of that company. Maybe anyone around here?

[bobconnie]

Had a close friend that bilt a 60ft alum cat down the bayou, he made tanks to hold over 1000 gals of diesel , when finished he sailed from Columbia, to serveral islands in the Carib and sold fuel on the sly and made enough money to cruise pretty much for free !! LOL he passed away at sea a couple of yrs ago his wife a french Citizen had to sell at a great loss as she could not sail it and take care of thier kids to! heard the new owner got busted hauling some other items in those big tanks LOL sort of a commercial sailing project !! hell of a boat to!! just a memory Bob and Connie

[ato]

Originally Posted by P Valdeolmillos

Although it is something that will probably never work at a large scale, I hope they succeed just to make a point.

There was a similar initiative in the past (that I read of) where a French company planned to ship wines from France to the US in a similar classic ship, but I believe they --unfortunately-- didn't succeed. I can't remember the name of that company. Maybe anyone around here?

the sailors probably had a go at the french wine cargo and ended up somewhere in the caribbean

[Sundowner Porto]

Really nice story thank you for sharing, and good for them I wish them success

[David_Old_Jersey]

Time is money - always has been (even in the age of sail) and always will be.......sail will never be able to compete.

Probably the wrong time (economically) to sell a warm fuzzy feeling as part of the delivery costs to the gormless....not unless you can get a subsidy from da Gubberment, greenies don't mind paying as long as someone else writes the cheques.

[barnakiel]

Cool!

No reason why this cannot be done elsewhere. At times, delivery time is no issue and in such cases whoever offers the more economical delivery, wins!

Pretty boat too!

b.

[ato]

in shipping time is money. it becomes less attractive to ship by sail the longer you need for a single journey.

[atoll]

now if only we could get the unemployed to work on these boats instead of rich yuppies.......

[markpierce]

Another potential candidate (but if we get to that point, heaven help us).

[Gabrieln]

Have you read about the big kites for modern cargo ships?

It seems the way to go.

www.skysails.info

[P Valdeolmillos]

Originally Posted by ato

the sailors probably had a go at the french wine cargo and ended up somewhere in the caribbean

OK, now that you mention it, that could be an explanation. :-)