bound4blue and Amasus Shipping have successfully completed the installation of a 22-metre eSAIL® on the general cargo vessel Fluvius Tavy at Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain.
This marks the second project between the companies, showcasing the scalability of suction sail technology and strengthening the confidence of shipowners in wind propulsion as a viable decarbonisation strategy.
Suction sail technology gains ground
The system has already demonstrated validated fuel and emissions savings in operational environments
The latest installation of bound4blue’s autonomous suction sails comes after an earlier project on Amasus’s Eems Traveller, where two 17-metre eSAIL®s were the first of their kind to be installed on a general cargo ship.
This DNV Type Approved technology has since been retrofitted to vessels owned by other innovative companies, including Odfjell, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, and Eastern Pacific Shipping. The system has already demonstrated validated fuel and emissions savings in operational environments.
Wind propulsion adoption
“Our collaboration with Amasus continues to demonstrate that wind propulsion is gaining broader acceptance as a practical, profitable, and, crucially, a proven solution for an industry in transition,” stated José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue.
Highlighting the significance of this installation, Bermúdez noted it as the largest suction sail ever fitted to a general cargo vessel, reinforcing the value recognized by Amasus in the technology. He anticipates the new project to produce “significant double-digit reductions in vessel fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.”
Simplified and efficient installation
The company looks forward to the anticipated benefits in fuel and emissions savings
The retrofit was conducted efficiently during a scheduled maintenance period at Astander, involving necessary structural and electrical adjustments to support the sail’s integration. The pre-commissioned unit, crafted by Haizea-Tecnoaranda in Spain, was installed using a streamlined, plug-and-play approach.
Amasus expressed satisfaction with the ease and success of the process, acknowledging the sails’ effective incorporation into daily operations. The company looks forward to the anticipated benefits in fuel and emissions savings.
Adaptable technology
bound4blue’s autonomous eSAILs® operate by channeling air over an aerodynamically optimised surface to generate lift significantly higher than traditional rigid sails of similar size. The technology is fully customizable for different vessel configurations across diverse sectors such as tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, cruise ships, ferries, and gas carriers.
Recent installations by prominent shipowners, including Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, and Louis Dreyfus Company, highlight the growing adoption of this innovative technology.
bound4blue and Amasus Shipping have completed the installation of a 22-metre eSAIL® on the general cargo vessel Fluvius Tavy at Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain. The project marks the companies’ second installation, reinforcing both the scalability of suction sail technology and the growing confidence of shipowners in wind propulsion as a mainstream decarbonisation solution.
The latest adoption of bound4blue’s autonomous suction sails follows a previous installation on board Amasus’ Eems Traveller, where two 17-metre eSAILs® became the first of their kind to be fitted on a general cargo vessel. Since then, the DNV Type Approved technology has also been retrofitted to vessels operated by other forward-thinking owners such as Odfjell, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs and Eastern Pacific Shipping, with fuel and emissions savings already proven and independently validated in operation.
Trusted formula
“Our collaboration with Amasus continues to demonstrate that wind propulsion is gaining broader acceptance as a practical, profitable, and, crucially, a proven solution for an industry in transition,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue.
“This installation is particularly noteworthy as it is the largest suction sail ever fitted to a general cargo vessel and, following a previous installation on the Eems Traveller, a very clear endorsement of the value Amasus sees in our technology. We’re delighted to help forward-thinking owners and partners, like Amasus, turn their sustainability ambitions into profitable results.”
"Bermúdez adds that the new project is forecasted to “deliver significant double-digit reductions in vessel fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions”.
Easy does it
The retrofit was completed in a single visit to Astander, with all preparatory and installation work carried out within the vessel’s scheduled maintenance period. Structural and electrical adaptations were made to the deck to accommodate the sail’s foundations, after which the fully pre-commissioned unit, manufactured in Spain by Haizea-Tecnoaranda, was lifted into place in a streamlined, plug-and-play process.
Amasus says of the project: “The decision to install a second eSAIL® reflects how satisfied we are with the performance and how smoothly it has integrated into our day-to-day operations. Our experience with bound4blue’s suction sails highlights their suitability for short-sea general cargo vessels like ours. We’re happy to continue working with bound4blue and would like to thank their team, as well as the yard, for another seamless and efficient Amasus installation. We’re now looking forward to seeing the fuel and emissions savings this new installation will deliver.”
Tailored flexibility
bound4blue’s autonomous eSAILs® work by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface to generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of a comparable size.
The fully autonomous technology can be easily tailored for individual vessel configurations and a broad range of segments, including tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, cruise vessels, ferries, and gas carriers, amongst others. Alongside Amasus, other pioneering shipowners such as Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell and Louis Dreyfus Company, have recently completed installations.
