bound4blue and Maersk Tankers have reached a significant milestone with the installation of eSAIL® units on board the Maersk Trieste, marking the first phase of a wider agreement covering 20 units across five medium-range (MR) tankers.
Signed in December 2024, the contract represents bound4blue’slargest order to date. Bound4blue CEO and co-founder, José Miguel Bermúdez, called the development “a watershed moment” for the adoption of wind power in the shipping industry in transition.
Four 24-metre ‘plug-and-play’ suction sails were fitted to the vessel. The autonomous eSAILs® generate lift by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface, producing up to seven times more lift than conventional rigid sails of comparable size.
Tailored to individual vessels, the system can deliver double-digit reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while improving a ship’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating.
It also unlocks regulatory and cost benefits under schemes such as FuelEU Maritime, via the Wind Reward Factor, and EEDI/EEXI.
bound4blue, Maersk Tankers, and system integrator Njord used a two-step installation process to maximise efficiency and minimise downtime.
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Preparatory ‘wind-ready’ works were completed at Yiu Lian Shipyard in Shenzhen, China, including deck pedestal installation and electrical modifications.
The vessel then moved to EDR Shipyard in Belgium, where the units were lifted onboard, secured to pre-installed foundations, and connected to onboard power and data networks in a pre-commissioned plug-and-play process.
The mechanical simplicity of the design enables easy integration into conventional shipyard workflows.
Bermúdez said: “Our system was designed from day one to deliver maximum performance with minimum complexity. That is especially important when scaling installations in segments with specific integration challenges, such as tankers.
“The size and efficiency of eSAILs® allow tankers to benefit from wind propulsion safely and cost-effectively, without altering operational profiles, while avoiding tilting systems and retaining a normal operational air draft. These installations show that leading shipowners recognise those benefits and share our vision for a more sustainable, cost-effective and compliant maritime future.”
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Claus Grønborg, Chief Investment Officer at Maersk Tankers, added: “For the tanker industry, progress on emissions reduction requires concrete investments and implementation. Deploying wind-assisted propulsion at scale enables more energy-efficient voyages for our customers, while supporting compliance with FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.”
bound4blue’s DNV type-approved technology can be applied to both newbuilds and retrofits across a wide range of vessel types, including tankers, bulk carriers, RoRos, ferries and gas carriers. Installations can be tailored to vessel schedules, with full systems fitted in under a day when needed.
The Maersk Trieste project follows high-profile eSAIL® contracts with Louis Dreyfus Company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Klaveness Combination Carriers, and BW Epic Kosan, reflecting how wind propulsion is moving from niche innovation to a mainstream decarbonisation solution.
Bermúdez concluded: “This is more than just another installation. It demonstrates that wind propulsion is ready to deliver at scale, even for complex vessel types such as tankers.”
For more information:
bound4blue – https://www.ics-shipping.org/
A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) – https://www.maersk.com/
