The National.pdf (application/pdf Object) Are traditional sail boats the future of trade? The 19th century "Golden Age of Sail" could be experiencing a revival. Modern-day cargo ship, Tres Hombres (pictured), is relying solely on wind power for its eight-month voyage to the Caribbean. The carbon-neutral vessel is named in honor of the three Dutch captains who founded the ambitious scheme -- Arjen van der Veen, Andreas Lackner and Jorne Langelaan.
The merchant ship Challenger, pictured in Bermuda in 1865. Spices, tea and chocolate from across the globe were delivered in ever increasing quantities to the dining tables of Europe, as the ships became larger and more efficient. One of the best known trading companies of the era was Britain's East India Company. Today, around 90% of world trade is currently carried by the shipping industry, contributing to 4% of global carbon emissions. Tres Hombres managing company, Fair Transport, also hopes to build a 136-meter cargo ship which would use at least 50% wind power. Sailing into history Tres Hombres Golden age of sail Exotic lands. Cargo Ship Designers Turn to Wind to Cut Cost and Emissions. The first Transition podcast! A visit to the Tres Hombres, tasting a revolution in shipping. 20 Oct 2011 The first Transition podcast! A visit to the Tres Hombres, tasting a revolution in shipping Last week I did a course with the Media Trust on how to make podcasts (highly recommended).
So, here, with some fanfare, is the first ‘Transition podcast’, I hope you like it. If so, do embed it in other places. Here are some photos to accompany the podcast…. The Tres Hombres docked at Brixham. Information about the Tres Hombres Captain Jorne Langelaan telling the assembled visitors about the ship. Bottled beer from the Exeter Brewery being loaded onto Tres Hombres by local school students. Exeter Brewery's beer stowed safely in the hold. Age of sail boats inspires green solutions. Before fossil fuel-powered vessels came to dominate the seas, international trade was conducted on vast tall ships. Are they set for a comeback? B9 energy plans to build first fleet of carbon-neutral "sail ships" for transporting cargoProject represents a return to traditional maritime trading methods.Comes as a handful of companies turn to sail boats to reduce emissionsShipping industry skeptical about economic viability for use on long-haul journeys London (CNN) -- With its long hull, towering masts and expansive sails, it resembles a schooner from the 19th century.
But fitted with a series of high-tech features, this so-called "sail ship" is designed to cut carbon emissions on the high seas today. Part of a fleet of carbon-neutral, wind-powered sail ships planned by Britain's B9 Energy, it's just one example of how companies are looking to the past for greener alternatives to the gas-guzzling vessels that transport the world's cargo. Surplus, however, is undeterred.