Merchant Ship The Solar Way: Greenheart Takes On The Challenge

Greenheart Solar Merchant Ship

Greenheart, an international non-profit organization, is preparing to build the world’s first fuel-free, container-ready commercial vessel. The small sail-solar ship is specially designed for use by communities in developing countries. Built in Chittagong, Bangladesh and will be lauched as early as next year.

Producing no emissions, s/v Greenheart is designed as an ocean-going hybrid that uses an innovative combination of traditional sail and solar power. It is pollution-free, simple to use and maintain, and extremely economical – making it ideal for use in the developing world. With a shallow enough draft to access thousands of miles of undeveloped, underserved coastline and rivers, these ships can also load and unload cargo directly from a beach where there is no port.

The plan is for hundreds of these vessels to be owned and operated by the people and communities they serve. Greenheart ships will bring independence from the burden of fuel costs, increase competitiveness and provide access to the world’s trade system for communities that live on very remote coastlines. This means that even these people will be able transport and sell their merchandise on their own terms. In addition to merchant activities, the craft can be adapted to applications ranging from ferries, artisanal fishing, research, patrol vessels and more.

“We are very excited about this project moving into the production phase, where we can visit many of the regions that inspired the concept” said Pat Utley, Greenheart’s Director. ”This maiden voyage will take a working model of clean energy transport around the world and begin to transform opportunities for poor coastal communities, green tech-lovers and fair traders.”

Greenheart is already collaborating with sailing and development organizations in the South Pacific to implement the first sustainable shipping network in that region. They have also been invited to numerous ports along their route, throughout Northern Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Far East. There are several testing, research, community and academic programs planned along the route.

Greenheart is hoping to cultivate grass-roots support by offering an opportunity for the public to participate in this maiden voyage, either through buying a share of the cargo or by joining the ship as
crew. www.indiegogo.com/greenheart

for more info on the project check out www.greenheartproject.org