Bound4blue has installed four 22-meter "eSAILs" aboard Spain-based Marflet Marine's Santiago I chemical tanker, making Marflet the first Spanish merchant fleet owner to use wind-assisted propulsion and suction sails.
According to a September 3 release from bound4blue, the eSAILs are expected to help the Santiago I cut its yearly energy consumption by as much as 15%. The company's suction-sail technology works by dragging air across each sail's surface to generate lift and propulsion, while automatically adjusting to wind conditions.
"We committed to this project because we believed wind-assisted propulsion offered a practical way to strengthen both environmental performance and commercial competitiveness," said Marflet Marine fleet director Juan Cremades.
Bound4blue's eSAILs are built to accommodate tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ro vessels, ferries, cruise ships, gas carriers and general cargo vessels. The company's clients include Maersk Tankers, Odfjell and Eastern Pacific Shipping among others.
Marflet said it also plans to order additional eSAILs for other vessels in its fleet, as it looks to cut fuel consumption and emissions across its operations.
