Hello, Vega
Accelerated
Clean Shipping
Our clients want to start shipping with SAILCARGO INC. as soon as possible and Vega makes this a reality. With a ship ready to sail, we can start proving the value of clean shipping today.
Fully Booked
Cargo Holds
We can now support Ceiba and Vega, simultaneously. Cargo clients have already filled Vega and Ceiba to capacity for all northbound voyages.
Shipping Begins
In 2023
Vega is being delivered from Sweden to the Caribbean and after a short refit will start shipping cargo between Colombia and New Jersey in 2023.
Vega Crew Applications
Vega is a Classic
Vega is a three-masted, square-rigged cargo sailing schooner. She carries the history of Nordic sailing at her core – and is built to exacting modern standards – under the watchful eye of ship-builder Egil Bergström.
This magnificent vessel features white oak planking, a copper sheathed hull and bespoke copper fastenings – she’s a perfectly functional work of craftsmanship.
On the surface she looks like a traditional Swedish sailing ship – but Vega features modern ship-building techniques, including copper strapping on the hull – which adds significant strength, safety and stability to the vessel.
The typical Scandinavian cargo schooner design is the inspiration for both Ceiba and Vega, because of its sail efficiency and cargo capacity. This construction style means both ships can sail in light winds, and can easily maneuver in any weather conditions.
Vega can be operated with a crew of 14 with the capacity for four passengers.
Welcome to Vega
Watch this short film about why Sailcargo Inc. purchased Vega and what it means for the company. Vega is the newest addition to the Sailcargo Inc. fleet and will be the first ship to transport goods.
Meet the Swedish shipbuilding family that constructed her and learn about the decades of work that it took to rebuild this beautiful vessel.
Classic Design meets Modern Technology
Copper Hull: Over 2 tons of copper sheeting sheath the hull, protecting the hull timber from shipworms, fouling, and barnacles.
Timber: The framing and structural timber is a mixture of larch and white oak. The deck timbers are of Douglas fir.
Safety Features: Vega was built to passenger standards, which are higher than for commercial ships. This includes watertight bulkheads, comprehensive fire safety systems and climate control. New radar and digital chart systems aid in modern navigation.
Cargo Capacity: Vega will sail 148 cubic meters (approx) of dry goods. This is equivalent to 82 tons of green coffee beans.
Built for Longevity, Designed for Efficiency: Vega boasts the highest standards for construction. In the past decade, she was a sail training vessel, accommodating up to 48 people. She has copper strapping to strengthen the hull, custom-built iron knees to brace, bulkheads, copper and brass nails and bolts – which will greatly extend the life of the vessel.
VESSEL SPECIFICATIONS
Vessel Name Vega Gamleby
Place of Construction Viken, Sweden
Year of Construction 1909
Years of Rebuild 1993-2008
Current Weight 235 metric tonnes
Gross Register Tons 140 metric tonnes
Length Overall 42m/ 137ft
Beam 7.82m/ 26ft
Current Draft 2.7m/ 9ft
Height Above Water 27m/ 89ft
Fresh Water Tanks 2,650 Liters
Suit of Sails
Standard press 14 sails
6 additional hand sewn light-airs canvas (Studding Sails)
Sail Area
650 sqm (7,000sqft)
Running Rigging
Classic 3-lay line
Primary Standing Rigging
Galvanized steel wire rope
Secondary Standing Rig
Served Dyneema / Spectra
Tree Species Used
Larix (larch)
Quercus alba (white oak)
Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir)
A Family Project
Vega was constructed by a renowned ship-building family dedicated to preserving Sweden’s rich sailing history. The Bergströms have restored a series of vessels with Vega as their flagship.
Operating under a non-profit they built and operated their ships with assistance from the Swedish government, educational programs, and generous donations from private patrons.
“I see so many similarities in the build of Ceiba, we can see ourselves thirty years ago doing the same thing, so it’s very nice to see what will happen in the future.”
Odd Bergström, former owner and builder of the S/V Vega Gamleby.
Vega’s History
The original cargo schooner Vega was built in 1909 in Viken, Sweden and was part of the merchant fleet operating along the Swedish coast. She retired from shipping cargo in 1967 and fell into disrepair and sank in Stockholm harbor. She was headed for the scrapyard - when the Bergström’s stepped in and saved her.
The family built a new shipyard in Gamleby, Sweden to undertake this project. In 1993 a fire at the shipyard destroyed the majority of the original vessel - changing the plans from a restoration into essentially a new build.
The family, along with many shipping enthusiasts spent 14 years building almost every aspect of Vega and in 2008 she sailed again.
The family used Vega as a sail training vessel - competing in the Tall Ships Races. Now they want to see her returned to her original purpose - sailing cargo.
“Our investment in this innovative project will allow us to reduce our carbon footprint and move us closer in our pursuit to produce the most sustainable roasted coffee on earth.”
Serge Picard, owner of Café William.
Clientele & Cargo Route
Café William is the largest cargo client for SAILCARGO and will fill the holds for both Ceiba and Vega with green coffee beans for all northbound voyages from Colombia to New Jersey.
Café William is a Quebec roaster focused on the production of organic and fair trade coffee. It’s coffees are distinguished by their exceptional quality and the desire to make them accessible to the greatest number of consumers, by offering a price comparable to conventional coffees.
A Shipwright’s Assessment
Read SAILCARGO shipwright Pablo Cruz’s blog about his first survey of Vega in November 2021. Pablo visited Sweden to inspect the vessel before official negotiations began. His experience working on other large wooden ships proved useful in assessing the current state of Vega.
Press Release
A public statement about SAILCARGO INC.’s reasons for purchasing the three-masted cargo schooner Vega and how this accelerates the company’s mission to prove the value of clean shipping.
A Short Introduction
Join Odd Bergström, former owner and builder of Vega, on a short day sail. Listen as he describes why his family chose SAILCARGO INC. to continue the legacy of Vega.