The ship would use 60% wind power, relying on three computer-operated masts rising 55-meters -- as tall as a 14-storey building.

This would be supplemented by a bio-gas engine converting food waste into methane; the food waste being anything from restaurant slops to out-of-date sandwiches.

B9 co-director Diane Gilpin said the design would best suit smaller vessels, and they are now looking for between $30 million and $45 million in funding to get it off the ground.

"In the last 100 years we've been absolutely besotted with what oil can do for us," she said.

"Now we're running out of fuel and we have to be a little bit cleverer about how we deploy our ships."

She admits it will be a challenge changing the traditionally conservative shipping industry, but added: "If we're looking at a new, green, industrial revolution, those early movers will benefit from being there at the outset."

As Van der Veen said when the Tres Hombres crew first floated the idea of a engine-less cargo ship: "Everybody thought it was crazy but we've proved them wrong.

"It's so satisfying -- it's part of our goal to make a transport revolution."