Majuro, Marshall Islands – December 2025
We recently attended a three-day workshop organized by GIZ in Majuro, Marshall Islands, alongside Brad Ives and Evy Ben Resheph from Clean Voyages. During the event, we presented the TradeSailer designs (TSP350 & TSP450), which we developed together based on their 12 years of experience operating the sailing cargo vessel SV KWAI. This article summarizes the main takeaways and opportunities identified at the conference.
The Current Solution
The sailing cargo vessel JUREN AE was developed by GIZ in collaboration with the University of Emden Leer (HEL), a German design office, and the South Korean shipbuilder KOSTEC. This vessel, approximately 46 meters long with two cargo bays, features an innovative Indo Rig. Delivered a year ago, JUREN AE now serves as both a training ship and a trading vessel within the Marshall Islands and beyond.
A Holistic Approach: More Than Just a Ship
The conference made it clear that a successful transport solution requires more than just a well-designed ship. Without a robust support network, even the best vessel can become a burden rather than a benefit. Essential components include:
- Effective ship management (office operations)
- Adequate cargo handling infrastructure and storage
- Reliable maintenance and repair capabilities
- Compliance with local and global legislation, registration, and classification
- Efficient freight organization and route planning
- Comprehensive crew training and recruitment
Tailoring Ships to Island Needs
Another key takeaway is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Ships and their operations must be customized to match the specific cargo and routes they will serve.
Sustainability: The Key to Long-Term Success
Owning and operating a ship is expensive. While funding often focuses on acquiring the vessel, the ongoing costs should ideally be covered by the ship’s trading activities. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and many ships end up unused and abandoned.
Looking Ahead
We plan to engage in dialogue with the Pacific Island Nations, offering our expertise to help establish a strong and sustainable fleet of wind-driven cargo ships. Our goal is to support the design of the vessels and development of the necessary infrastructure to ensure these vessels remain successful for years to come.
TradeSailer project 