Sustainability

This is why sailing is smart

over 3 years ago
Written by Ingrid Wollberg, Ronald Toppe
Sustainability > This is why sailing is smart

This is why sailing is smart

over 3 years agoSustainability
Written by Ingrid Wollberg, Ronald Toppe

One of the ambitions of One Ocean Expedition is to focus on sustainability, how to behave so our way of living does not destroy the planet. So, it's not a coincidence that the expedition rides the wind around the globe.

In total Statsraad Lehmkuhl has a sail-area of 2026 m2. If laid flat out on the ground, you could easily fit four normal family-houses on top of them, including a little garden.

- We have a fantastic opportunity here on board, we can sail. We can get from one place to another without burning fossil fuels, says Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth.

Sailing is smart for another reason as well. Statsraad Lehmkuhl is faster sailing, up to over 18 knots, than motoring. Even with 1125 horses, the top speed using the engine is 11 knots.

Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth
Captain Jens Joachim Hiorth. Photo: Ingrid Wollberg

Aft across

But the wind is not always blowing exactly as you would prefer.

A sailing ship reaches top speed when the wind is aft across, blowing from behind and a bit to the side. Then all the 22 sails catch wind.

Statsraad Lehmkuhl can sail a little bit upwind, but that makes the trip a long zigzag-voyage. This was taken into account when the expedition was planned.

- 55,000 nautical miles is a long voyage, but 20 months is also a long time. It varies slightly from stage to stage, but as an average the speed is not more than 4 knots.

The engine is used to get the ship safely into Lisbon.
The engine is used to get the ship safely into Lisbon. Photo: Ingrid Wollberg

Sustainable route planning

Captain Hiort calls this sustainable route planning.

- Sailing is without comparison the best thing we can do to make the expedition sustainable.

But of course, the engine will be started from time to time. To manoeuvre safely and if the wind is getting too troublesome.

- In sum, we will probably sail a lot, says Hiort.

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The One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026 is a 12-month voyage aboard the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl, aimed at raising awareness and sharing knowledge about the crucial importance of the ocean for a sustainable future on a global scale.

Follow the expedition