bound4blue has completed its first wind assisted propulsion system installation for Odfjell on the chemical tanker BOW Olympus.
The installation of four eSAILs on the 49,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) vessel is expected to achieve significant fuel savings and offer commercial, environmental, and regulatory benefits.
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The installation process was tailored to fit the vessel’s operational schedule, with sail pedestals fitted during a planned drydocking and the eSAILs lifted into place at EDR Antwerp Shipyard in Belgium.
The 22m tall suction sails, which operate autonomously, were chosen by Odfjell after a thorough evaluation of various wind propulsion solutions conducted by the research institute RISE.
The eSAILs are designed to generate propulsive efficiency by dragging air across an optimised aerodynamic profile and can be installed in a single shipyard visit.
However, in this case, the installation was split into two stages to meet the vessel’s busy schedule, with electrical and structural preparations made during drydocking and the sails fitted later at EDR Antwerp Shipyard.
Odfjell technology vice president Erik Hjortland said: “The five-year-old vessel will soon embark on what could be called her second maiden voyage—this time, crossing the Atlantic towards Texas with four eSAILs.
“Each nautical mile will be thoroughly analysed in real-time to document the energy-saving effects.”
With this installation, Odfjell joins other shipping companies, such as Amasus, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, which have operational eSAILs.
Major shipping companies such as Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and Klaveness Combination Carriers are also adding eSAILs to their fleets.
bound4blue co-founder and CTO David Ferrer said: “Installing WPS on a vessel like this can be challenging due to ATEX zones and air draft limitations.
“However, the mechanical simplicity of eSAILs offers a smooth solution, allowing for the installation of non-ATEX units, which helps reduce CAPEX and simplifies the installation process.”
In December 2024, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) contracted bound4blue to install three 22m eSAIL suction sails on a newbuild MR tanker, set for construction at New Times Shipbuilding, China, with installation in late 2025.
