The government of Quebec is developing a fleet of airships to deliver goods to the province’s often difficult to reach northern territories.
The government signed the agreement, worth $23million ($30million Canadian), with the French company Flying Whales and expects the first deliveries to begin in 2022.
The airships from Flying Whales will be able to carry up to 60 metric tons of cargo and travel at speeds of up to 62mph.
The ships are held aloft by individual pockets of helium, and propelled forward by small diesel or electric engines, while also taking advantage of jetstreams for an extra, energy efficient push.
The deal could be a signal that the long dormant airship industry is ready for a comeback, according to a report in Foreign Policy.
Market analysts have predicted the airship industry could grow significantly over the next decade as an energy efficient alternative to commercial cargo ships.
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