Clippership orders its first autonomous, wind-powered cargo ship

Clippership, a marine robotics company started in a Los Angeles garage by brothers Nico and Luca Cymbalist, and Kai Matsuka to develop autonomous wind-powered cargo ships has completed the design of its first vessel, and has executed a construction contract for it with Dutch shipyard KM Yachtbuilders.

The 24-meter class cargo vessel features twin, foldable rigid wings for primary wind propulsion and is designed for open-ocean autonomy. The vessel has a cargo capacity of up to 75 Euro-pallets within its climate-controlled cargo hold.

It will be built in accordance with RINA rules and supervised during construction to be classed as “General Cargo Ship – Powered Sailing Ship” with the WAPS (Wind Assisted Propulsion System) additional class notation. It will sail under the Maltese flag and launch is scheduled for late 2026, with commercial operations commencing shortly afterwards on transatlantic, Caribbean, and South American pilot routes.

Naval architecture for the new vessel has been carried out by Dykstra Naval Architects, known for innovative sailing vessels including the Maltese Falcon, SY Black Pearl, and Sea Eagle.

Seattle-headquartered naval architecture and marine engineering firm Glosten has completed the vessel’s structural engineering.

“Bringing together Dykstra Naval Architect’s expertise in large sailing vessels, Glosten’s engineering capability, and our in-house autonomy and rigid-wing technology gives the 24-meter class a powerful foundation,” said a Clippership spokesperson. “Partnering with KM Yachtbuilders places our design in the hands of a shipyard known for building safe and innovative aluminum vessels, and RINA’s design approval ensures full alignment with applicable international regulations.”

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