The first ship operated by Dutch sail cargo company Ecoclipper, De Tukker has set sail on its maiden commercial liner voyage in which Afloat tracked the vessel in the English Channel recently when offshore of Guernsey.

De Tukker with five crew and equally the same number of trainees had departed Amsterdam carrying chocolate on the cargoship that is currently in the Bay of Biscay. The ship is handling well and is heading for Porto, Portugal where ketch is expected to arrive around May 13th and take on a cargo of wine and olive oil.

This is the first voyage on a sailing schedule which will see the sail-cargoship operate on a regular route network as Afloat reported across North and West Europe

Following a refit and sea trials, De Tukker, which was built in 1912 and seen life as a coastal trader and sail training vessel, is now propelled again by over 300 square metres of sail.

De Tukker is able to carry about 70 cubic metres, or an equivalent of 50-70 tons, of cargo and has accommodation for up to 12 trainees or travellers. 

The first cargo onboard is chocolate produced by Dutch chocolate maker "Chocolatemakers" and destined for European distribution by sail cargo brokers “New Dawn Traders”.

The cacao used in the chocolate’s production process was shipped from the Dominican Republic by fellow sail cargo vessel Tres Hombres and so will reach consumers with a minimum of harmful emissions produced in its transport.

De Tukker’s currently scheduled destinations are Porto, Noirmoutier, Saint Nazaire, Penzance, Torquay and London, however, depending on the needs of exporters and consumers EcoClipper is open to adding additional ports to the route.

Jorne Langelaan, EcoClipper founder and CEO, has expressed his excitement that De Tukker is now sailing again. “After a year-long period of expert refitting by our own refit crew and the crew of the Talsma shipyard, it was with the greatest pleasure that I watched De Tukker sail off towards the horizon. This is the next step in returning to large scale transport by sailing vessel at sea.”

There is still cargo space available for exporters who want to take advantage of this new shipping option in Northern and Western Europe. Visit the EcoClipper website here for more information.

The voyage is being covered by De Tukker’s Captain, Paul Pélaprat, on EcoClipper’s Instagram page @ecoclipper

EcoClipper, a Dutch sail cargo company are developing a new breed of cargo carrying sailing ship, the first of which will be a 59m square-rigger with a capacity of 500 tonnes.

While development is ongoing, EcoClipper has renovated the 1912 ketch ‘De Tukker’ (above) which in collaboration with UK-based cargo broker New Dawn Traders as Afloat reported last year, will start forging European trade routes in 2023.

For the last decade, New Dawn Traders have been on a journey to quietly address the true cost of modern shipping and supply-chains.

With a central belief that shipping should focus on high quality goods that cannot be produced domestically, they have been rebuilding uncompromising international supply chains, working only with producers who prioritise regenerative farming and uphold the highest ethical and environmental standards.

New Dawn Traders work with a number of sail-powered cargo vessels to transport these goods across oceans and borders. They provide an otherwise unattainable international market to small scale farmers, and allow their port allies, wholesale and retail customers access to astonishing produce.

Alex Geldenhuys, the founder of New Dawn Traders, was inspired by people, projects and businesses that promote resilience in local food systems, and wants to extend this movement across oceans. New Dawn Traders continues to build relationships across the supply chain to ship ethically produced, high-quality produce with a carbon footprint that is close to zero.

EcoClipper CEO Jorne Langelaan says “we are very excited to go into partnership with New Dawn Traders and their network. We share many of the same values and hope to help further their work to promote coastal communities and sustainable businesses.”

“We are creating a modern day logistics system, which takes the natural world into account, and makes use of timeless traditions that have evolved over centuries.”

Alex comments “working with EcoClipper allows us to provide a dedicated sail cargo route between our farmers who really give the best care to the land but wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to export, and our customers who are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of fossil fuel from ocean transport.”

“Sail cargo is an opportunity to rekindle an ancient love affair with our lands and oceans, and it doesn’t have to cost the earth.”

The Ketch De Tukker will link the ports of Northern Europe and Portugal to a dedicated sail cargo service providing customers with access to products that have been shipped in an environmentally friendly manner.

The ship’s maiden voyage for EcoClipper will be carrying a mixed cargo of olive oil, wine, almonds and more from Portugal to France, South Coast UK, London and the Netherlands, as well as aiming to secure cargo for delivery south on the outbound voyage.

Sail-Cargo Schedule 

The mentioned trading line will start operating in April on the following route: Amsterdam (NL)-Penzance (GB)-Porto (PT)-Saint Nazaire (FR)-Noirmoutier (FR)-Penzance (GB)-Torquay (GB)-London (GB)-Scheveningen (NL)-Den Helder (NL)-Hartlepool (GB)

EcoClipper's first ship, the sailing Ketch ‘De Tukker’ in August will be carrying cargo and passengers on the North Sea, through the English Channel to ports as far south as Porto, Portugal.

To facilitate the process of finding and organising cargo the Dutch sailing company EcoClipper has signed a formal partnership with the broker New Dawn Traders.

New Dawn Traders currently work with a range of sail cargo companies and have created their Voyage COOP programme to bring together a network of producers, sailing vessels and other ‘port allies’ to deliver goods in a sustainable way.

Alex Geldenhuys, the founder of New Dawn Traders, was inspired by people, projects and businesses that promote resilience in local food systems, and wants to extend this movement across oceans. New Dawn Traders continues to build relationships across the supply chain to ship ethically produced, high-quality produce with a carbon footprint that is close to zero.

EcoClipper CEO Jorne Langelaan says “we are very excited to go into partnership with New Dawn Traders and their network. We share many of the same values and hope to help further their work to promote coastal communities and sustainable businesses.”

Alex comments “working with EcoClipper allows us to provide a dedicated sail cargo route between our farmers who really give the best care to the land but wouldn’t normally have an opportunity to export, and our customers who are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of fossil fuel from ocean transport.”

The Ketch De Tukker will link the ports of Northern Europe and Portugal to a dedicated sail cargo service, this partnership with New Dawn Traders will allow goods to flow sustainably along these routes and provide consumers with access to products that have been shipped in an environmentally friendly manner.

Alongside the recently announced sailing schedule, EcoClipper has a financing campaign where investors are able to invest in the EcoClipper Coöperatie U.A. This enables investors to become part owners of the fleet of sailing ships, including the Tukker.

The Dutch shipping company, EcoClipper has announced this year’s sailing schedule of the newly purchased ship De Tukker as Afloat reported in January.

De Tukker is the first in a fleet of low-impact sailing ships which will transport cargo and passengers using the wind as a main source of propulsion. The schedule focuses on the North Sea, the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay.

The routes include some of the major international shipping ports such as Amsterdam, London, Porto and Antwerp. De Tukker, which measures 40 meters with a shallow draft of 2.4 meters, will also be able to operate in local ports such as La Rochelle, France, and Penzance, UK, which will increase its public profile and target local SMEs wanting to reduce their shipping footprint.

There will be space for 12 paying guests, who are invited to get involved in the sailing of the ship but are also welcome to enjoy the unique experience.

De Tukker has 60 cubic meters of cargo space and will be able to carry a maximum of 70 tonnes of cargo. The ship is currently undergoing refit work at Talsma Shipyard in the Netherlands. The draft has been increased by an extended keel thus providing more stable sailing. Research is also being carried out into installing a propeller generator and solar panels on the galley deckhouse which would cover the onboard lighting system and navigation, thereby further reducing fossil-fuel use.

EcoClipper has been talking to future partners such as broker New Dawn Traders, sailing holiday agent Classic Sailing and sustainable ferry service FairFerry. Internationally renowned sail cargo company Fairtransport and UK based brokers Shipped by Sail and Raybel Charters have also been approached.

Jorne Langelaan, CEO and founder of EcoClipper, said “The 2022 sailing schedule provides a good mix of both larger ports and small harbours. This will increase visibility of the sail cargo and sail travel industries. It’s fantastic to be able to work in tandem with other sail cargo companies too, we all have a lot to offer and we are all moving towards the same target: to ultimately reduce shipping emissions and provide the tried and tested method of sailing as a viable transport option.”

Customers can book a place/cargo on the ship here

A zero-carbon emission shipping company in the Netherlands has acquired this month its first vessel that will transport cargo as well as passengers under sail on the North Sea within the first half of 2022, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Alkmaar based EcoClipper has purchased the 1912 built De Tukker, a Dutch Sea Klipper also known as a 'Schoeneraak'. Originally, De Tukker traded in North Sea coastal cargoes and neighbouring waters before becoming a trainee sailing ship.

They plan to introduce this first converted ship to operate in sustainable shipping on the North Sea and serve the UK-mainland Europe routes while bringing to those seeking a more environmenal friendly travel experience. Also EcoClippers cite given in recent years the public's increasing awareness of the fragility of global supply-chains and how companies are seeking other options to ship their products. 

The vessel has been surveyed, though will require essential work to bring up to commecial trading standards. The ship's barge shape has a fairly flat bottomed hull that will suit carrying between 50-70 tonnes of cargo. In addition there will be accommodation for up to 12 paying passengers.

When De Tukker enters EcoClipper's service on the North Sea trade the vessel will be the first in a proposed fleet of vessels which will include retrofitted and purpose-built sailing ships trading on a range of routes.

Sailing vessels do operate on the North Sea, however currently there are no vessels dedicated to operating a fixed 'liner' service for sustainable shipping.

According to EcoClipper B.V. CEO and founder, Capt. Jorne Langelaan “we have already been approached by a wide range of companies looking to ship their product in a sustainable manner".

He added " With this purchase EcoClipper will be in a good position to begin providing this service in an environmentally friendly way. Altogether, De Tukker should be an excellent ship to start putting the operational vision of EcoClipper into practice.”

Following De Tukker's cargo days plying in the North Sea the coaster in the 1980 became a Dutch sail training vessel. This led to a well-known career for its work with disadvantaged youth. The need for major repairs however brought this role to an end in 2012, though with the retrofit will see a return of De Tukker and back to cargo trading. 

The retrofit will require work on the hull, a new deckhouse is to be constructed and an upgrading of systems in addition to rigging will take place.

A financing campaign has been launched by EcoClipper Coöperatie U.A. so to enable investors to become part owners of the fleet on routes also outside Europe. 

In order to develop and expand the fleet, the strategy of EcoClipper is based on investing in one ship at a time. Funding is sought from investors through certicates issued, with the first tranche aimed to purchase the retrofitted De Tukker.