bound4blue - Experts & Thought Leaders

bound4blue has completed the installation of its breakthrough eSAIL® suction sails on tanker vessel Pacific Sentinel with a streamlined single-stop process for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) at Besiktas Shipyard in Turkey during a planned drydocking. Three 22-metre, DNV Type Approved eSAILs® were installed on the 50,000dwt Pacific Sentinel in under a day per unit, as planned. Overall energy consumption The installation took place during a scheduled vessel drydock, with preparatory work completed in advance The installation took place during a scheduled vessel drydock, with preparatory work completed in advance. The fully autonomous wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) will help the vessel reduce overall energy consumption with forecasted energy consumption savings of around 10% depending on vessel routeing, slashing OPEX and emissions to air, while also enhancing regulatory compliance.  Planned vessel maintenance The installation heralds a landmark in numerous regards, signifying EPS’ first step into wind-assisted propulsion – as a continuation of its ambitious decarbonisation programme - while also marking bound4blue’s first tanker installation. The Spanish-based wind pioneer has undertaken a fast-track “single-stop” process, ensuring minimal vessel downtime with all work undertaken during planned vessel maintenance at the shipyard. Fast-track, single-stop benefits    The fast-track, single-stop installation combined vessel groundwork, such as fitting pedestals for the eSAILs® The fast-track, single-stop installation combined vessel groundwork, such as fitting pedestals for the eSAILs® and welding, with the simultaneous preparation and programming of the sails. This efficient approach helped minimise installation time.  David Ferrer, Co-founder and CTO, bound4blue explains: “We’re committed to helping shipping companies, such as EPS, embrace clean, proven, wind power in the simplest, most cost-efficient and effective manner." Other key partners in all installations Ferrer added: "Thanks to our collaboration with shipowners, operators, shipyards, and other key partners in all installations carried out by bound4blue, we have achieved a quick, robust, and high-quality deployment procedure." "In this case, the vessel and sails were fully prepared in advance, ensuring they could be lifted and bolted into place without extending the planned time at the yard.”  Easy advantages  Ferrer adds that the nature of the eSAIL® unlocks further benefits for cost, weight savings Ferrer adds that the nature of the eSAIL® unlocks further advantages for cost, weight savings and efficiency on what could otherwise have been a demanding task.  Ferrer added: “The fact that this is an MR Tanker creates unique challenges in terms of ATEX zones and air draft limitations, but the eSAILs® simplicity is the ideal solution." Other demanding shipping segments Ferrer added: “It allows for non-EX-proof units, which streamlines the process, and reduces CAPEX, while their high performance achieves substantial savings without requiring excessively large sails, eliminating the need for tilting mechanisms and allowing for compatibility with the vessel's existing air draft." "It is, we believe, an ‘easy’ way for such vessels, and many other demanding shipping segments, to access the compelling commercial, regulatory and environmental advantages of wind power.”  Ensuring regulatory compliance The installation completed in union with ABS, ensuring compliance with safety standards The installation was also completed in collaboration with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), ensuring compliance with the highest classification and safety standards. Achieving a ‘wind-assisted’ notation played a key role in verifying the structural integration of the eSAILs® with the vessel while aligning with regulatory frameworks such as the EU ETS, CII, and FuelEU Maritime.  Sustainable partnerships  bound4blue has installed its solution on five vessels, with many more in its growing order book. EPS, which signed the agreement for the Pacific Sentinel in February 2024 and has now successfully completed this installation, further extended its collaboration with bound4blue in December 2024 through a new agreement for the installation of three eSAILs® on an MR tanker under construction at New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. This installation is scheduled for late 2025. Benefits of wind propulsion  bound4blue has installed its solution on five vessels, with many more in its growing order book Speaking of the collaboration with bound4blue, Mirtcho Spassov, Decarbonisation Manager at EPS, comments: “We are committed to reducing emissions across our fleet by embracing cutting-edge green technologies, including wind-assisted propulsion. We need the right partners to achieve meaningful impact, and we’ve found bound4blue, with their proven technology and solutions-driven approach, to be an excellent match." "This successful installation is testament to our partnership, and we look forward to harnessing the benefits of wind propulsion in support of our drive to decarbonise. We look forward to completing our second installation later this year.”  Delivering progress  The eSAIL® units work by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency. The technology is suitable for both newbuilds and retrofitting across the huge majority of vessel segments, including, but not limited to, Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruises, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels.   eSAILs® help shipping companies simplify compliance, and achieve advantage, with regulations including EU ETS, CII and FuelEU Maritime, while offering a typical payback of less than five years.

bound4blue has consolidated its position at the forefront of shipping’s revolution with a landmark contract with Maersk Tankers. The agreement is the largest wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) agreement for bound4blue to date, with 20 of the company’s type-approved eSAIL® suction sails to be installed on five MR tankers in 2025 and 2026. Turnkey efficiency Maersk Tankers identified the eSAIL® as a solution of choice in partnership with green technology catalyst Njord, who assessed and evaluated a broad range of wind-assisted propulsion systems to ensure optimal environmental and commercial impact on the target project vessels and their expected future trading. Maersk Tankers identified the eSAIL® as a solution of choice in alliance with green technology catalyst Njord The autonomous eSAILs® work by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate lift and exceptional propulsive efficiency, reducing fuel consumption, OPEX and emissions. Four of the turnkey units will be installed on the Maersk Tankers vessels - The Maersk Tacoma, Maersk Tampa, Maersk Tangier, Maersk Teesport, and Maersk Tokyo - and are expected to deliver double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per vessel. Proven performance José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder at bound4blue, describes the order as a “key milestone”, adding: “The trust Maersk Tankers has placed in our technology reinforces the proven capabilities of our solution in reducing fuel consumption and emissions, while contributing to CII and FuelEU regulatory compliance." “Designed to operate safely in challenging conditions, our system is particularly well-suited for safe, high performing and cost-efficient operation on tankers. We’re excited to work alongside Maersk Tankers as they progress in their decarbonisation efforts.” Accelerating adoption The contract marks another high point in a successful year for bound4blue, joining fresh orders from high-profile owners and operators such as Klaveness Combination Carriers, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Marflet Marine, Amasus, and Louis Dreyfus Company, amongst others.

A subsidiary of Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA has entered into an agreement with the builder of the CABU III newbuildings, Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, to install its first ever Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS) with two bound4blue eSAILs® suction sails on the third CABU III newbuilding for delivery in Q3 2026. The newbuild will be one of the first tanker/dry bulk vessels to feature bound4blue’s cutting-edge WAPS technology, while the two installed units will also rank as the largest ever suction sails, standing at 24 metres in height. Alternative sail technologies KCC’s decision to install bound4blue's key resulted from a wide study of alternative sail technologies KCC’s decision to install bound4blue's solution resulted from a comprehensive study of alternative sail technologies, where eSAILs® were identified as the most efficient choice for the evaluated vessels and trade routes. bound4blue’s eSAILs®, known as a suction sail, is an innovative solution taking advantage of the available wind at sea to generate clean forward thrust for the vessel, effectively reducing fuel consumption and emission from the vessels’ main engine. DNV Type Approved solution The two eSAILs® will be fitted at the bow of the vessel to enable efficient port operations. The DNV Type Approved solution works by utilising a fan system to drag air across the sail’s aerodynamically optimised surface, generating propulsive efficiency. eSAILs® are available in three model sizes, starting from 12m and ranging up to 36m in height. KCC will be the first shipowner to install the largest unit, the model 3. Installation of eSAILs® KCC has to date committed USD 32 million in 15 different energy efficiency measures The installation of eSAILs® is a part of KCC’s environmental ambition to cut the carbon intensity of its fleet by more than 45% compared to 2018 by the end of this decade. KCC’s strategy is to build on its market pioneering trading efficiency of its combination carriers, having a 30-40% lower carbon footprint than competing standard vessels, by investing in innovative energy efficiency and operational efficiency measures.  KCC has to date committed USD 32 million in 15 different energy efficiency measures, which in total are expected to cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by 15% on its modern fleet built after 2015. Reducing carbon emissions CEO of Klaveness Combination Carriers, Engebret Dahm says, “We, at KCC, are excited to partner up with bound4blue on its journey of exploring and utilising innovative wind-assisted propulsion solutions on our fleet." "This technology has large potential for reducing carbon emissions and is expected to become an important lever for the industry to reach its decarbonisation targets.” Key shipping segment David Ferrer, co-founder and CTO, bound4blue, comments: “We’re thrilled to sign this new agreement with a shipowner of the standing of KCC. This is a landmark contract for us in many respects, becoming not only the largest eSAIL® the world has seen, but also our first newbuild project in China." "It will give KCC a proven, autonomous, and operationally efficient solution. We look forward to partnering with the KCC team as they help lead the ‘wind revolution’ in this key shipping segment.”

More than almost any trend, decarbonisation is driving the future of maritime. That reality alone makes decarbonisation the perfect topic for our first-ever Expert Panel Roundtable column. Traditional maritime fuels, like heavy fuel oil, release harmful pollutants that contribute to air pollution and have adverse health effects. We have to do better, and discussions in the maritime industry centre on which combination of alternative fuels and other technologies can solve the shorter- and longer-term challenges of decarbonisation. For an update on the various approaches, we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the latest maritime technology trends in decarbonisation?