Are we witnessing the dawn of a new hybrid era?

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Up into the 19th century, when boarding 
a ship you had no way of knowing how long the 
voyage would take. The wind is an unpredictable 
propellor. 

From 1829 onwards you could plan your journey with a
little more certainty. The SS Savannah was the first 
steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Or was it the 
first hybrid ship? The voyage took 27 days and the 
steam engine ran for a mere total of 80 hours. After all,
wind is free, unlike coal. 

Two centuries have since passed. Last week the 
Canopee was launched, a distant cousin of the 
Savannah. This futuristic ship was designed by 
Grootship Design and built by Neptune Shipyard. It 
doesn’t have the sails of yesteryear. Instead, upright 
wings provide forward thrust. Wind energy is expected 
to save about 30% on fossil fuel. 

Are we witnessing the dawn of a new hybrid era?

Jacques Hoffmans
T:+3140 3400 550
E: jh@mastership.nl