Spanish wind assisted propulsion developer bound4blue and Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) have signed a commercial agreement for the manufacture and installation of four eSAILs on LDC’s chartered juice vessel, ‘Atlantic Orchard’, in collaboration with owner Wisby Tankers of Sweden.
Atlantic Orchard will be retrofitted with four 26m high eSAILs. The installation of the eSAILs is planned for 2024 and, depending on voyage route, is expected to reduce annual fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by at least 10%.
Bound4blue developed its eSAIL system based on wind-assisted propulsion technology known as a suction sail. By harnessing wind power to propel vessels, this technology achieves a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. The eSAIL system leverages a thick aerodynamic profile and intelligent suction mechanisms to enhance propulsive efficiency, estimated as providing seven times more lift than an aircraft wing. The decision to implement the technology was based on a third-party assessment study carried out by Lloyd’s Register, which evaluated a range of solutions and identified bound4blue’s suction sails as the most suitable.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO bound4blue, said: “We’re pleased to announce our agreement with LDC to implement our eSAIL system, demonstrating bound4blue’s ability to serve unique vessel types and affirming the maturity of our technology as a proven solution for fuel and emission reduction. LDC is at the forefront of adopting proven clean technologies to reduce carbon emissions in its fleet, and we are delighted to support them in their endeavour.”
Sébastien Landerretche, LDC Global Head of Freight, added: “Reflecting LDC’s commitment to help shape a low-carbon economy, we are actively contributing to the global shipping industry energy transition journey, in line with the IMO’s target to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the sector by 2050. We are therefore very pleased to partner with two key maritime industry players, bound4blue and Wisby Tankers, to install this advanced sail technology aboard our chartered juice carrier.”
