Jorne Langelaan, CEO and founder of EcoClipper Coöperatie U.A, has signed ownership documents for the Dutch Klipper ‘De Tukker’. This is the first vessel to join the EcoClipper fleet. The vessel will require a retrofit and will begin providing trade and passenger travel under sail on the North Sea in the first half of 2022.

De Tukker was built in 1912 and worked for many years as a coastal trader. In the 1980’s it became a Dutch sail training vessel, well-known for its work with disadvantaged youth. The need for major repairs brought this to an end in 2012. With this purchase EcoClipper will return De Tukker to North Sea trade. The Klipper will be the first in a proposed fleet of EcoClipper vessels which will include retrofit and purpose-built sailing ships trading on a range of routes.

The retrofit will bring De Tukker back up to commercial standard. Work on the hull needs to be carried out, a new deckhouse will be constructed and upgrading of the systems and rigging will take place. The ship has a barge shaped hull and will be able to carry about 80 cubic meters, or an equivalent of 50-70 tonnes, of cargo. It will also have accommodation for up to 12 paying guests.

While sailing vessels do operate on the North Sea, there are no vessels currently dedicated to a fixed liner service for sustainable shipping, on this important route. Jorne Langelaan, said “we have already been approached by a wide range of companies looking to ship their product in a sustainable manner. 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.”

This week, pen was put to paper and the first EcoClipper retrofit vessel was procured.

The Tukker is a Dutch North Sea Klipper, or Schoeneraak. The Tukker was built in 1912 and operated on the North Sea, hauling cargo across those cold waters and up the surrounding coastlines.

In the 1980’s the Tukker was repurposed. It became one of the most celebrated and well-known sail training vessels in the Netherlands, especially for it’s work with disadvantaged youth. Unfortunately in 2012, major repairs were needed, which brought this excellent work to an end.

Now, in 2022, the Tukker once again has a new and exciting future: shipping cargo on it’s old waters and ensuring people are able to experience sailing as part of travelling.

What’s next for the Tukker?

The boat has been surveyed and the next step is essential work needed to ensure it is up to a commercial standard. Predominantly there is work to be done on the hull, a new deckhouse will be constructed and the systems and rigging will be upgraded. The ship is barge shaped, meaning that it is fairly flat-bottomed, and will be able to carry around 80 cubic metres (50-70 tonnes equivalent) of cargo. It will also have accommodation for up to 12 trainees.

The North Sea

Over the last few months, three blogs were written about the potential and history of the North Sea. You can read about the history here, the ideal ports on the route hereand a well-known vessel that serviced this area in the late 20th century here. Currently, there are no sail cargo vessels dedicated to this route in a fixed liner service capacity.

The Tukker marks the first ship under the EcoClipper flag. Those in the UK, Switzerland and Europe are invited to invest in the EcoClipper Coöperatie U.A., which will act as a holding company for the subsequent fleet of EcoClipper ships – both retrofitted and purpose-built.