Dutch captain Jorne Langelaan has been fascinated with sailing ships since childhood.

Now the 41-year-old is closing in on a dream to offer a sustainable alternative to the mainstream shipping industry by launching a fleet of cargo sail ­vessels to traverse the globe.

Langelaan founded EcoClipper in 2018 and is now finalising design plans he hopes will lead to a fleet of engine-less ships trading on three routes with fixed schedules, “thereby creating a new shipping logistics system for sail cargo ­vessels”.

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