The first eSAIL® units have been successfully installed under the landmark collaboration between bound4blue and Maersk Tankers.
Four of the 24-metre “plug and play” suction sails were fitted on the vessel Maersk Trieste., marking the completion of the first stage of an agreement to install a total of 20 units across five advanced medium-range (MR) tankers.
Signed in December 2024, the contract represents bound4blue’s largest order to date.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue, called the achievement “a watershed moment” for the adoption of wind power in a shipping industry undergoing transition. The installation was carried out at EDR Shipyard in Belgium, following vessel preparation at Yiu Lian Shipyard in China.
“Our system was designed from day one to deliver maximum performance with minimum complexity,” said Bermúdez. “This is particularly important when scaling up installations on vessel types with integration challenges, such as tankers.”
For the tanker industry, reducing emissions requires concrete investments and implementation. At Maersk Tankers, we focus on deploying advanced energy-efficient technologies to cut fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Scaling up Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems allows for more energy-efficient voyages for our customers while supporting compliance with FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.
…said Claus Grønborg, Chief Investment Officer, Maersk Tankers.