bound4blue has announced the installation of the “largest” suction sails in the world, with four 26m high eSAILs fitted to the MV Atlantic Orchard.
The vessel, chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and owned by Wisby Tankers of Sweden, underwent the installation during a scheduled stop for its ten-year survey at Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The MV Atlantic Orchard, originally built as a dry bulk carrier in 2014 and converted in 2020, is now equipped to enhance its compliance with FuelEU Maritime regulations.
The addition of the eSAILs allows the vessel to benefit from the Wind Reward Factor, contributing to improved Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) compliance, along with other regulatory advantages.
The anticipated fuel consumption and emission reductions are projected to be around 10%, depending on the trading routes, which may also provide commercial benefits.
The selection of wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) for the MV Atlantic Orchard followed a comprehensive evaluation of emissions reduction technologies by LDC’s shipping decarbonisation team.
An independent assessment by Lloyd’s Register was conducted to compare various solutions, leading to the choice of bound4blue’s autonomous system in late 2023.
bound4blue CEO and co-founder Jose Miguel Bermudez said: “eSAILs open an easy, proven and economically beneficial pathway to greener operations for a wide variety of shipping segments, including unique vessel types such as juice carriers.
“This specialist project is a prime example of how our technology meets customer needs.”
The eSAILs from bound4blue typically have a payback period of less than five years and are applicable for both new builds.
The DNV type-approved suction sails have been installed on a wide range of vessel types, including MR Tankers, general cargo ships, cruise ships, ferries, gas carriers and ro-ro vessels.
Recent orders have been placed by several shipping companies, including Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Klaveness Combination Carriers.
The installation on the MV Atlantic Orchard represents the third deployment of bound4blue’s technology this year.
Last month, bound4blue installed its first WAPS on Odfjell’s chemical tanker, BOW Olympus.
The installation of four eSAILs on the 49,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt) vessel is anticipated to deliver substantial fuel savings along with commercial, environmental, and regulatory advantages.
