Cargo ship of the future

A GENTLE breeze blows in from the Pacific Ocean as I sit in the treehouse office, suspended above the substantial white expanse of the lofting floor.

I can see intricate lines stretching long into azure waters, rippling in spaces between bright green mangroves. These enclose a gap through which Ceiba’s bow will soon traverse to begin her first voyage in just a few years time.

I remember being at the far end of the lofting floor once it had been completed and seeing someone standing at the ‘helm’ on the opposite side and, for the first time, experiencing the true size of the vessel. Walking the line along the keel blocks takes you on a journey that is longer than expected; you really begin to feel the length and sheer scale of this giant cargo ship to be.

Ceiba will be a based on a traditional tall ship design, infused with modern technology. Inspired by the successful coastal schooner, Ingrid from Finland, but thoughtfully designed with the intention to ship fair and eco-friendly goods along the Pacific coastline of the Americas. Local and sustainably sourced materials will be used wherever possible to minimise ecological impact and to safeguard lumber available for future generations.

All of the wood to date has been sourced from either windfallen, plantation or non-native and donated trees that posed a threat to people’s lives or infrastructure. Throughout the build and beyond, thousands of trees will be planted annually to help regenerate the forests of Costa Rica, as well as provide timber for subsequent ships, which will continue to pave the way for conscious shipping.