Second eSAIL retrofit delivered as Maersk Tankers wind propulsion programme progresses
Spanish wind propulsion specialist bound4blue has completed the second installation in its five-vessel agreement with Maersk Tankers, progressing the rollout of suction sail technology across the operator’s medium-range (MR) tanker fleet. The latest retrofit saw four 24-metre eSAILs ® installed on board the 29,445 dwt Maersk Tahiti at Chengxi Shipyard. The installation is expected to deliver double-digit fuel savings, reduce emissions, and enable simpler regulatory compliance.
The first contracted installation – on board the Maersk Trieste – was completed this January. In total, 20 of the revolutionary units will be installed on five ships, marking bound4blue’s largest ever single agreement.
“The agreement with Maersk Tankers reflects the wider scaling up of wind power adoption across the industry,” comments bound4blue CEO and co-founder José Miguel Bermúdez. “Wind, and particularly suction sail technology, delivers massive advantage in both environmental and commercial contexts, and appreciation of this reality is blossoming.
“It marks an opportunity for us, of course, but more than that it demonstrates a chance for forward thinking owners to simplify an increasingly complex regulatory and operating environment with proven technology and a free – and freely available – power source.”
Maersk Tahiti’s four non-ATEX eSAIL ® units offer completely autonomous operation, with simple installation and minimal maintenance. They operate by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface to generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size. Tailored to each vessel, the system reduces engine load, delivering compelling fuel and CO₂ savings while improving Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings.
Beyond operational gains, wind assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) such as eSAILs® are actively rewarded under FuelEU Maritime, through the Wind Reward Factor, while contributing to EEDI/EEXI compliance and lowering exposure to EU ETS costs. A who’s who of shipping companies are embracing the technology, including names such as Louis Dreyfus Company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Klaveness Combination Carriers, and BW Epic Kosan, amongst others.
Designed for easy integration and seamless operations, bound4blue’s DNV Type Approved eSAIL® systems are suitable for both retrofit and newbuild projects, across a wide range of vessel segments.
The completion of another installation at a major Asian yard demonstrates the Spanish-headquartered company’s growing global footprint. It follows bound4blue’s move to engage in a number of strategic partnerships to build up production, logistics and service capacity in China last year.
“As this new delivery proves yet again, practical, scalable decarbonisation doesn’t have to be a pipe dream anymore, it can be a reality,” Bermúdez concludes. “We’d encourage other ambitious owners to investigate the potential of wind power, and especially suction sail technology, today.”
