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Emission Free Sail Cargo Coming To Salish Sea
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arine shipping accounts for 4% of green house gas emissions globally. There is a growing movement to create emission free alternatives to current shipping modalities. Many of the potential solutions are hi tech and will require years of development but we have had a carbon free solution for hundreds of years that can be redeployed immediately, sail power. Costa Rica’s SAIL CARGO will be touring the Salish Sea region to raise awareness of the issue of shipping emissions and their carbon neutral freight service between Central America and British Columbia. Sail Cargo founders, Danielle Doggett and Lynx Guimond have set out on a mission to direct the global maritime shipping industry toward carbon neutrality. To do this they will build and operate a wooden, combustionfree, sailing cargo vessel called Ceiba in Costa Rica, synthesizing traditional wood construction with modern electric auxiliary propulsion systems. Co-founder Lynx Guimond stated ‘’Strategic alliances and growing interest has been forming in the Pacific North-West region. British Columbia has conscious consumers, and they have expressed a need for sustainable shipping.’’ Following the environmentally
damaging fuel oil spill of the Marathassa, and in light of the approved pipeline that would see tankers increase from 60 to over 400 each year despite heavy protest, SAILCARGO INC. believes that Vancouver, the islands and British Columbians are ready for a big change. Their ship, Ceiba, will have 100% electric propulsion. SAILCARGO INC. is working with an engineering firm from Switzerland (Sigma + Associates) to be able to harness power from the wind while sailing. That stored power will be there when there isn’t enough wind to sail, or when maneuvering in and out of harbours. Their event poster reads ‘’Calling all sailors, shipbuilders, shop owners and coffee lovers: Anyone interested in sustainability will want to learn about this emission free freight service opening between Central America and British Columbia.’’ SAILCARGO INC. wants to inspire action from the grassroots up. A recently solidified partnership with British Columbia’s S.C.V. Providence (out of Steveston, Richmond) means that the Pacific Exchange Line will begin service this fall (October 2017.) Among other cargos, they intend to transport green, unroasted organic coffee beans from Costa Rica to Vancouver spring 2018.
Cargo and passengers are being actively sought for this roundtrip voyage to Costa Rica, which will also call on San Francisco, Mexico and Hawai’i. Sailing vessel Providence can transport 25 tons and the ship is filling up fast. When complete, Ceiba will carry up to 300 tons. In the time leading up to the tour, SAILCARGO INC. encourages all parties interested in meeting to contact them: from local and national government, grassroots organizations, importers and store owners, sailors, shipbuilders to coffee or chocolate aficionados and all others who simply want to #SeaShippingChange.
‘’We’re coming to BC to meet with everyone who wants to see a healthier system, and a healthier coastline – it’s happening already, and momentum is gaining daily to support a shift towards green transportation.’’ says Danielle Doggett. Ceiba founders Lynx Guimond & Danielle Doggett will be coming to BC this summer to promote sustainable shipping from July 23rd to Aug 8 and will be at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Center July 27th from 7 to 9pm. Ganges Harbour July 26th on Saltspring Island and on Gabriola Island July 28th. info@sailcargo.org or phone (+506) 8625 0909 , Pura Vida!
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