bound4blue and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) have completed the second installation of eSAILs® in EPS’ fleet, fitting three 22-metre-high units on MR tanker Pacific Sunstone at New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. The project marks EPS’ first newbuild installation following a successful retrofit project on Pacific Sentinel.
Simplifying complexity
eSAILs® have surged in popularity within the tanker segment due to their simplicity, easing adoption for vessels with complex, ATEX-regulated environments. With smaller footprints than other solutions – eSAILs® generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size – there’s no need for tilting systems and no impact on a vessel’s operational airdraft. The units are also non-ATEX, helping optimise costs.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue, describes it as “a winning combination” for a crucial segment.
He comments: “Tankers are integral to world trade, but, due to their complexity, can pose headaches in terms of decarbonisation. At bound4blue we’re committed to helping owners voyage towards sustainability, with mechanically simple, easy to install solutions that deliver both double digit fuel, and emissions, savings and easier regulatory compliance.”
Bermúdez continues: “A newbuild such as this is an exciting project, as it allows the vessel to set sail with the benefits of wind power woven into the ship’s DNA from day one. We’d like to thank EPS, and the yard, for their excellent cooperation in a fast, efficient and seamless process.”
Proven performance
Pacific Sunstone’s installation process was tailored to enable straightforward integration without major structural modification, or delays. The project also builds on the proven results from the Pacific Sentinel, where a six-month study by EPS and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation confirmed average 8% net power reduction, 5.5% net fuel savings, and peaks above 20% in favourable wind conditions. Notably, these results were achieved despite predominantly unfavourable winds, underscoring the robustness of the eSAIL® system and its potential for even greater savings on more favourable routes.
The installation also highlights how wind-assisted propulsion systems can be integrated effectively across both retrofit and newbuild programmes.
All eSAIL® foundations and electrical connections were incorporated into the newbuilding programme, before the sails – manufactured in Spain – were shipped to China for a streamlined ‘plug and play’ connection process.
Now operational, the three units will provide reliable power to reduce main engine loads, saving OPEX (typical payback on eSAIL® installations is less than five years) and empowering regulatory compliance, with benefits across a broad range of frameworks such as CII, EU ETS, EEDI/EEXI and FuelEU Maritime, via the Wind Reward Factor.
Speaking about the installation, Mirtcho Spassov, Decarbonisation Manager of EPS said, “At EPS, we continue to explore and deploy new technologies that support the decarbonisation of our fleet. Our experience with Pacific Sentinel demonstrated the operational performance and practicality of the eSAIL® system, making the integration of the technology from the outset on Pacific Sunstone a natural step. Working closely with bound4blue and New Times Shipbuilding, the system was incorporated seamlessly into this newbuild’s schedule, enabling efficient delivery while strengthening the vessel’s operational efficiency.”
Scaling success
The Pacific Sunstone installation reinforces the scalability and flexibility of suction sails – which work by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface to generate exceptional lift – for both retrofit and newbuild projects. The technology is suited to a wide range of segments, including, but not limited to, tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, cruise vessels, ferries and gas carriers.
bound4blue’s DNV type approved technology is now the preferred choice of a range of leading global shipowners, including Odfjell, Maersk Tankers, Klaveness Combination Carriers and BW Epic Kosan, amongst others.
Source: bound4blue
