- 22m eSAIL® will set new wind assisted propulsion system (WAPS) benchmark for key shipping segment.
- New contract comes on the back of positive experience onboard the Eems Traveller, with results to be published by Lloyd’s Register.
London, October 22 – Amasus, one of Europe’s leading players in the shortsea, bulk, general cargo, offshore and heavy lift segments, has signed a fresh eSAIL® (suction sail) contract with Spain’s bound4blue. Under the new agreement, a 22-meter unit will be retrofitted on a 90-meter, 3,000 dwt vessel at Astander Shipyard in Santander, scheduled for mid-2025. The installation will set a new benchmark as the largest suction sail system on a general cargo vessel.
Exceptional impact
Amasus sealed the deal with bound4blue after assessing the impact of its first suction sails on Eems Traveller, which has been sailing with two 17-meter eSAILs® since July 2023. The autonomous system, which works by dragging air across its aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency, helps reduce vessel fuel use, OPEX and emissions to air, while also enhancing regulatory compliance.
A spokesperson for the Amasus team noted that the compelling nature of the benefits convinced the business to “come back for more”:
Profitable partnership
“Amasus is committed to playing its part in the creation of a more efficient, responsible and sustainable shipping industry. And to achieve that we need to consider new ways of working and new technological solutions. The decision to install the eSAILs® on the Eems Traveller was a tangible demonstration of that mindset and, we have to say, we’ve been thrilled by the results.
“Third party validation of eSAIL® performance on the vessel, by Lloyd’s Register, is now being finalised and the figures, when released, will speak for themselves. It goes to show both the commercial and environmental sense in choosing wind as part of our evolving energy mix, while the collaboration with bound4blue demonstrates the importance of choosing the right industry partner. We look forward to more positive developments in 2025 and beyond.”
Gathering momentum
The new contract is further proof of the growing popularity of bound4blue’s unique, DNV Type Approved WAPS solution, which is market-proven, robust, mechanically simple, and requires zero operational input from crew.
Shipowners and operators that have signed contracts in the past year alone include Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Marflet Marine, and Louis Dreyfus Company, amongst others.
Accepted enabler
“This latest contract is a landmark for us,” comments José Miguel, CEO and co-founder at bound4blue. “It’s the first time we’ve secured a second agreement with a shipowner, showing how the technology meets all expectations as a proven, cost effective, simple and reliable enabler for greener, more profitable and compliant shipping operations. We’re honoured to be chosen once again by this true industry leader.
“As wind gathers favour, we expect to see these forward-thinking early adopters, such as Amasus, being joined by more and more owners and operators keen to take advantage of the obvious eSAIL® benefits. In that respect, we believe the adoption curve is set for take-off. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Amasus for their renewed trust in our team, dedication, and excellent cooperation, and look forward to building on that successful partnership in the years to come.”
bound4blue’s eSAILs® are 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. The technology helps shipping companies simplify compliance, and achieve advantage, with regulations including EU ETS, CII and the upcoming FuelEU legislation, while offering a typical payback of less than five years.
About bound4blue
bound4blue develops automated wind-assisted propulsion systems as a turnkey solution for all shipowners and shipping companies seeking to reduce fuel costs and polluting emissions. bound4blue’s eSAIL® system is a validated solution for saving fuel and emissions, completely autonomous, with low maintenance and easy installation onboard, being the most cost-efficient wind propulsion technology today. It is suitable for Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruises, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels, regardless of their size or age. The company, founded in 2014 with a vocation clearly focused on the renewable energy sector in the maritime field, has its headquarters in Cantabria (Spain) and offices in Barcelona and Singapore. The company has installed its eSAIL® system on four ships and has signed additional agreements with other shipowners like Eastern Pacific Shipping, Marflet, Louis Dreyfus Company, Marubeni Corporation, Odfjell and SNA TUHA’A PAE to install the system on their fleets.
For more information, visit: www.bound4blue.com
About Amasus
Amasus is a full-service shipping office, located in the former nautical school and the Abel Tasman National Monument in Delfzijl. Amasus has been engaged in chartering and total ship management for its own fleet of ships, for a large number of shipping companies and captain owners for more than 43 years, having also terminal facilities in Eemshaven and in the port of Delfzijl. Amasus owns and operates ships in the shortsea, bulk, general cargo, offshore and worldwide heavy lift (incl. RoRo) market and, in its vision, the creation of added economic value should be combined with social justice and a healthy living environment. Corporate social responsibility is Amasus´ chosen tool to create a balance between the economic, social and environmental aspects of its corporate policy, and technical innovations play an important role in the company. Amasus is constantly supporting the continuous improvement of navigation, sensoring, monitoring, maintenance, sustainability and prevention of incidents, acting as an initiator, participant and supporter in a number of innovative projects in these areas.
For more information, visit: https://www.amasus.nl/en/
