Are traditional sail boats the future of trade?

Sheena McKenzie, CNN
Updated 2:18 PM EDT, Fri October 12, 2012
The 19th century "Golden Age of Sail" could be experiencing a revival. Modern-day cargo ship, Tres Hombres (pictured), is relying solely on wind power for its eight-month voyage to the Caribbean.
Sailing into history —
The 19th century "Golden Age of Sail" could be experiencing a revival. Modern-day cargo ship, Tres Hombres (pictured), is relying solely on wind power for its eight-month voyage to the Caribbean.
Courtesy Fair Transport
The carbon-neutral vessel is named in honor of the three Dutch captains who founded the ambitious scheme -- Arjen van der Veen, Andreas Lackner and Jorne Langelaan.
Tres Hombres —
The carbon-neutral vessel is named in honor of the three Dutch captains who founded the ambitious scheme -- Arjen van der Veen, Andreas Lackner and Jorne Langelaan.
Berber van Beek, Fair Transport
The merchant ship Challenger, pictured in Bermuda in 1865. Spices, tea and chocolate from across the globe were delivered in ever increasing quantities to the dining tables of Europe, as the ships became larger and more efficient.
Golden age of sail —
The merchant ship Challenger, pictured in Bermuda in 1865. Spices, tea and chocolate from across the globe were delivered in ever increasing quantities to the dining tables of Europe, as the ships became larger and more efficient.
Getty Images
One of the best known trading companies of the era was Britain's East India Company. This historic painting depicts the company's Captain Henry Wilson shipwrecked on the Pelew Islands, later the Republic of Palau, around 1783.
Exotic lands —
One of the best known trading companies of the era was Britain's East India Company. This historic painting depicts the company's Captain Henry Wilson shipwrecked on the Pelew Islands, later the Republic of Palau, around 1783.
Getty Images
Today, around 90% of world trade is currently carried by the shipping industry, contributing to 4% of global carbon emissions.
Modern day merchants —
Today, around 90% of world trade is currently carried by the shipping industry, contributing to 4% of global carbon emissions.
Getty Images
Tres Hombres managing company, Fair Transport, also hopes to build a 136-meter cargo ship which would use at least 50% wind power. A diesel and electric motor would provide power in less windy conditions.
Eco solutions —
Tres Hombres managing company, Fair Transport, also hopes to build a 136-meter cargo ship which would use at least 50% wind power. A diesel and electric motor would provide power in less windy conditions.
Courtesy Fair Transport
British wind power company B9 recently tested a model of its 100-meter, 3,000-ton carbon-neutral freighter. The ship would use 60% wind power, relying on three computer-operated masts rising 55-meters.
Making waves —
British wind power company B9 recently tested a model of its 100-meter, 3,000-ton carbon-neutral freighter. The ship would use 60% wind power, relying on three computer-operated masts rising 55-meters.
Courtesy B9
Return to golden age of sail

Editor’s Note: MainSail is CNN’s monthly sailing show, exploring the sport of sailing, luxury travel and the latest in design and technology.

Story highlights

European merchant ships of the 19th Century were a lifeline to world's exotic goods

"Golden Age of Sai" makes a comeback with modern-day wind powered cargo ships

Sailing ship Tres Hombres leaves from Netherlands to Caribbean on eight-month voyage

Part of 21st Century bid for environmentally sustainable travel

CNN  — 

With their billowing sails, towering masts and long wooden hulls, 19th century clipper ships were staggering feats of design – and Europe’s lifeline to the world’s most exotic goods.

Laden with spices, teas and chocolates from across the globe, the use of these wind-powered sailing vessels reached its peak during the late 1800’s, a period often referred to as the “Golden Age of Sail.”

Abandoned in the advent of steamboats, the centuries-old transport is now enjoying a revival among cargo traders, with a new breed of merchant ships returning to wind power in an effort to promote environmentally sustainable trade.