Spanish automated wind-assisted propulsion system specialist bound4blue has installed the first eSAIL units on the first of five tankers owned by Danish Maersk Tankers.
Four 24-meter ‘plug and play’ suction sails were fitted on Maersk Trieste, completing the first stage of an agreement that will see a total of 20 units installed across five advanced medium-range (MR) tankers.
“For the tanker industry, progress on emissions reduction requires concrete investments and implementation. At Maersk Tankers, we focus on deploying advanced energy-efficient technologies to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Implementing Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems at scale enables more energy-efficient voyages for our customers, while supporting compliance with FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System,” said Claus Grønborg , Chief Investment Officer at Maersk Tankers.
The contract, signed at the end of 2024 , is bound4blue’s largest order to date.
The autonomous eSAILs work by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimized surface to generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of a comparable size, bound4blue said, noting that they can deliver double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while significantly improving a vessel’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating.
A two-step installation process was selected for Maersk Trieste by bound4blue, Maersk Tankers and system integrator Njord. Following preparatory ‘wind-ready’ work carried out at Yiu Lian Shipyard in Shenzhen, China, including the installation of deck pedestals and electrical modifications, the vessels arrived at EDR Shipyard in Belgium, where they were lifted onboard, secured to the pre-installed foundations, and connected to onboard power and data networks in a pre-commissioned plug-and-play process.
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“The size and efficiency of eSAILs enable tankers to benefit from wind propulsion safely and cost-effectively, without altering operational profiles – avoiding tilting systems and retaining a normal operational air draft, and all with the simplicity of a non-ATEX solution. These latest installations demonstrate that globally leading shipowners appreciate these benefits, while sharing our vision for a more sustainable, cost effective and compliant maritime future,” said bound4blue CEO and Co-Founder José Miguel Bermúdez .
“This is more than just another installation. It’s proof that wind propulsion is ready to deliver at scale, even for complex vessel types like tankers. By partnering with a forward-thinking company like Maersk Tankers, we’re showing that practical decarbonisation solutions are already here… and ready to make a measurable impact today.”