CARGOLIFTER AG, the company building airships designed for heavy transport, has sold its first unit, a CL 75 AC transportation balloon. The buyer is Heavy Lift Canada Inc, which has also taken an option for a further 25 units at $10m each.

As part of the sale agreement, CargoLifter AG will buy a 20% stake of Heavy Lift Canada, Inc.

Heavy Lift Canada will use the balloon to move goods across the icy wilds of Canada and Alaska in regions where roads can only be used for a few months of the year. The CL 75 AC balloon has a diameter of 61m.

‘With its capabilities, the CL 75 AC enables drilling companies to extend the current season for oil and natural gas exploration in remote Northern areas,’ said Karl Bangert, member of the CargoLifter AG management board. ‘CargoLifter has analysed this market for more than a year and it offers a huge amount of potential. However, such projects are feasible in other regions of the world with similar infrastructure conditions.’