bound4blue Completes First eSAIL® Installation Under Maersk Tankers Agreement

Barcelona— Wind propulsion specialist bound4blue has successfully completed the first installation of its eSAIL® technology under a landmark agreement with Maersk Tankers, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion within the tanker sector.

The installation was carried out onboard the Maersk Trieste, where four 24-metre “plug-and-play” suction sails were fitted. This achievement represents the first phase of a wider agreement that will see 20 eSAIL® units installed across five advanced medium-range (MR) tankers. The contract, signed in December 2024, is bound4blue’s largest order to date.

bound4blue CEO and co-founder José Miguel Bermúdez described the development as “a watershed moment” for the maritime industry’s transition toward cleaner propulsion solutions.

Innovative Wind Propulsion Technology

bound4blue’s autonomous eSAILs® generate propulsion by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface, producing up to seven times more lift than conventional rigid sails of comparable size.

Designed with vessel-specific configurations, the technology can deliver double-digit reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, while also improving a ship’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) rating. The system provides additional regulatory and cost advantages under frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime, through the Wind Reward Factor, as well as EEDI and EEXI compliance.

Efficient Installation Process

To minimise vessel downtime and maximise efficiency, bound4blue, Maersk Tankers, and system integrator Njord adopted a two-step installation approach for the Maersk Trieste.

Initial preparatory “wind-ready” work was completed at Yiu Lian Shipyard in Shenzhen, China, including the installation of deck pedestals and electrical modifications. The vessel then proceeded to EDR Shipyard in Belgium, where the eSAIL® units were lifted onboard, secured to pre-installed foundations, and connected to onboard power and data systems through a pre-commissioned plug-and-play process.

The mechanical simplicity of the system enables straightforward integration into standard shipyard workflows, significantly reducing retrofit time.

Designed Specifically for Tankers

 “Our system was designed from day one to deliver maximum performance with minimum complexity,” said Bermúdez, noting the particular challenges of scaling wind propulsion within the tanker segment.

He highlighted that the size and efficiency of eSAILs® allow tankers to benefit from wind propulsion without altering operational profiles, avoiding tilting systems, maintaining standard air draft, and operating with a non-ATEX solution. Bermúdez added that the latest installations demonstrate growing confidence among leading shipowners in wind-assisted propulsion as a safe, cost-effective, and scalable decarbonisation solution.

Maersk Tankers Focuses on Practical Decarbonisation

Commenting on the project, Claus Grønborg, Chief Investment Officer at Maersk Tankers, emphasised the importance of tangible action in reducing emissions.

“For the tanker industry, progress on emissions reduction requires concrete investments and implementation,” Grønborg said. “Deploying advanced energy-efficient technologies enables more fuel-efficient voyages for our customers, while supporting compliance with FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System.”

Growing Industry Adoption

The Maersk Tankers project follows a series of high-profile eSAIL® contracts with shipowners including Louis Dreyfus Company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Klaveness Combination Carriers, and BW Epic Kosan.

Collectively, these installations demonstrate that wind propulsion is rapidly moving from niche innovation to a mainstream maritime decarbonisation strategy, driven by stricter regulations, rising fuel costs, and increasing confidence in the technology’s commercial viability.

“This is more than just another installation,” Bermúdez concluded. “It proves that wind propulsion is ready to deliver at scale, even for complex vessel types like tankers, and capable of making a measurable impact today.”