VEGA
Sailcargo’s proof-of-concept vessel is on her way to the Americas By Jeremy Starn of Sailcargo At a dock in the Netherlands, opposite a lush green field with windmills rotating slowly in the distance, a beautiful wooden cargo ship is moored. On her stern you can see her name, Vega. On board is a hum of activity. Harnessed sailors are working high in the rigging. On deck, others are whipping ropes, cutting timber and fashioning tools. It's unusual for so many Sailcargo workers to be outside of the Costa Rica shipyard at one time, but they are here now, to help safely deliver Vega across the Atlantic. She's the newest member of Sailcargo's shipping fleet, joining Ceiba (currently under construction) and the proposed Pitaya. After her transatlantic voyage she'll undergo a minor refit to maximize her cargo space. Before year's end, Vega will be shipping cargo between Colombia and New Jersey. The purchase of Vega marks a major leap forward for Sailcargo, which hopes her voyages will serve as a proof of concept for other vessels to follow. Vega is a traditional Swedish vessel — a complete rebuild of the original 1909 ship that sailed in the Swedish cargo fleet for over 50 years. She suffered a major fire and was significantly rebuilt in 2008. The new Vega retains all the best aspects of classic Nordic design, combined with modern ship-building techniques and safety standards, including copper strapping on the hull, a copper-sheathed hull and bulkheads.
