Louis Dreyfus Armateurs - Experts & Thought Leaders

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.

bound4blue has taken another step forward in its mission to accelerate and simplify the adoption of wind power, with the validation of its ‘wind propulsion system force matrix calculation methodology’ by Lloyd’s Register (LR). The validation gives shipowners a robust, credible and compliant means to calculate the Pwind value of installations, ensuring they unlock full regulatory (and cost) benefits under frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime, and EEDI/EEXI. Advanced CFD-based calculations LR validated the approach, which utilises advanced CFD-based (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations, validated with wind tunnel test results. The installation earlier this year of four bound4blue eSAILs® onboard juice carrier M.V. Atlantic Orchard, chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and owned by Wisby Tankers, is the first to benefit from this methodology validation. Building confidence Shipowners can now take advantage of a reliable tool to calculate the regulatory benefits With this validation, shipowners can now take advantage of a reliable tool to calculate the regulatory benefits of the unique suction sail technology without the need for full-scale testing, saving significant time and money. As Alberto Llopis, Head of Aerodynamics at bound4blue, explains, this helps build trust and ease acceptance for the company’s systems as wind-assisted propulsion “truly takes off” in the market. Applicable international Rules and Standards “Validation by Lloyd’s Register is a key enabler for shipowners who want to realise the full value of wind propulsion,” comments Alberto Llopis. He adds, “By confirming our methodology aligns with all applicable international Rules and Standards, it ensures our clients can confidently calculate Pwind to simplify regulatory compliance and unlock substantial financial savings. It removes uncertainty and enables more informed decision-making, underlining the attractiveness of wind as a prime mover in maritime’s much-needed energy transition.” A methodology that matters Pwind is the calculated propulsive power available from a WAPS, such as the eSAIL® Pwind is the calculated propulsive power available from a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS), such as the eSAIL®, and plays a central role in environmental compliance. Defined under IMO’s “2021 Guidance on treatment of innovative energy efficiency technologies” (MEPC.1/Circ.896), Pwind can be deducted from a ship’s required engine power under EEXI/EEDI calculations, reducing the vessel’s regulatory burden. It is also directly linked to the Wind Reward Factor in FuelEU Maritime, potentially relaxing GHG targets and lowering compliance-related expenses. Thrust characteristics of a WAPS The force matrix - which represents the thrust characteristics of a WAPS under various wind conditions - must be installation-specific (considering both sail-to-sail and ship-to-sail aerodynamic interactions) and validated by an independent verifier. LR’s validation confirms that bound4blue’s methodology meets the standards set by IMO, ensuring consistency and transparency. Ambitious decarbonisation targets Speaking about the implications of the process, LR Advisory Ship Performance Manager, Dr. Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, said: "As the maritime industry works towards ambitious decarbonisation targets, shipowners and technology developers need confidence that their investments align with both evolving regulatory expectations and their own objectives." He adds, "At LR, we’re proud to support the safe and effective adoption of breakthrough technologies, such as bound4blue’s eSAILs®, by providing transparent, independent validation shipping companies can rely upon. We’d like to thank both bound4blue and LDC for their excellent collaboration on this project." Accelerating acceptance New eSAIL® installation using the same CFD-based approach can efficiently obtain a verified Pwind LR’s validation is more than a standalone achievement. While force matrices must be calculated specifically for each ship and sail installation, the validated methodology is now transferable across future projects. This means that any new eSAIL® installation using the same CFD-based approach can efficiently obtain a verified Pwind - streamlining compliance, accelerating project timelines, and making the business case for wind propulsion even stronger. Wind power solutions "At LDC, we see validated wind power solutions as a clear win: one that supports our ambitious decarbonisation goals, saves fuel costs and delivers strong regulatory advantages," says Fabian Kowatsch, LDC’s Shipping Decarbonisation Lead. He adds, "Thanks to the Pwind validation, we can now factor wind propulsion into our regulatory planning, accurately calculate the FuelEU Wind Reward Factor and significantly reduce our compliance costs." Mounting momentum Wind is the only power source actively rewarded through the framework, with compliance targets Demand for wind propulsion solutions, such as suction sails, is increasing since the advent of the FuelEU Maritime regulation. Wind is the only power source actively rewarded through the framework, with compliance targets for relevant vessels relaxed by up to 5%. eSAILs® also create energy efficiency benefits for EEDI and EEXI, reduce emissions and costs relating to EU ETS, and positively impact CII ratings. Array of vessel segments bound4blue’s fully autonomous units are riding this wave of momentum, with recent orders placed by companies such as Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, Klaveness Combination Carriers, Eastern Pacific Shipping and other pioneering shipping companies. The mechanically simple, proven technology has a typical payback period of less than five years and is suitable for either newbuilds or retrofitting across a diverse array of vessel segments. This includes, but is not limited to, Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruise vessels, Ferries, Gas Carriers and General Cargo vessels.

BW Epic Kosan (BWEK), a world pioneer in LPG, petrochemicals and speciality gas transportation, has signed an agreement with bound4blue for the installation of a 24 metre tall eSAIL® suction sail on the 2007-buit Helena Kosan. The autonomous wind propulsion system, to be installed in 2026, will allow BWEK to save fuel, cut emissions, reduce costs and simplify regulatory compliance, as the Singapore-based company invests to support industry decarbonisation goals. Safe, simple sailing “The tanker and LPG market is a key growth area for bound4blue, so it’s fantastic to agree a contract with the world pioneer in last-mile delivery of LPG, petrochemicals and other specialty gases,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO & Co-Founder, bound4blue. He adds, “Our mechanically simple solution delivers unique benefits for the segment, with the ability to position the sail’s maintenance door far above the deck and thus entirely remove the system from hazardous areas. This means non-explosion proof units can be installed easily on a vessel such as an LPG carrier, or any other tanker, negating the need for more costly, complex ATEX-proof solutions.” José Miguel Bermúdez continues, “When this simplicity is added to the proven performance and benefits of the system, which is also compact in size due to its exceptional propulsive efficiency, you have a technology perfectly suited to help owners such as BWEK meet ambitious commercial and environmental goals. We’re thrilled to partner with the team for this exciting project.”  Market benefits Fuel use and emissions are reduced, easing compliance with regulations, such as EU ETS, CII, FuelEU Maritime The DNV Type Approved eSAIL® works by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate lift up to seven times greater than rigid sails of the same size, delivering greater power through smaller vessel footprints.  In doing so, fuel use and emissions are reduced, easing compliance with regulations, such as EU ETS, CII, FuelEU Maritime (with additional benefits through the wind reward factor) and the newly proposed IMO GFI framework. Recent orders for eSAILs® have been placed by companies such as Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine and Klaveness Combination Carriers, with new installations completed for Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping and Louis Dreyfus Company. Investing in the future “We are committed to investing in proven technology that supports and enables our drive to reduce operational environmental footprints,” explains Jakob Bode, CEO, BWEK. Jakob Bode adds, “We have so far introduced a range of innovations including ultrasonic transducers, graphene-based propeller coatings and advanced weather routing to cut emissions and empower efficiencies, in addition to actively participating in projects to advance the adoption of green fuels such as ammonia.” He continues, “Wind power was identified as having potential and, after careful studies, bound4blue’s eSAIL® was selected as the system of choice. We look forward to benefitting from its simplicity and efficacy in action on the Helena Kosan from 2026 onwards.” Plug and play The installation will be carried out in a simple two-step process, with preparatory work conducted at a scheduled dry docking in 2025 and a ‘plug and play’ fitting of the unit the following year. bound4blue’s eSAILs® are suitable for both newbuilds and retrofitting across the vast majority of vessel segments, including, but not limited to, Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruise ships, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels. The technology offers a typical payback period of less than five years.