bound4blue suction sails ordered for a second Amasus general cargo vessel
Spanish wind-assisted propulsion tech company, bound4blue has extended its cooperation with Amasus, a major player in the shortsea, bulk, general cargo, offshore and heavy lift segments. Delfzijl-based company has signed a new contract to install bound4blue’s 22-metre eSAIL (a suction sail) on one of Amasus’ vessels.
The retrofit will be completed in mid-2025 at the Astander Shipyard in Santander, and bound4blue expects it to set a new benchmark as the largest suction sail system on a general cargo vessel.
Amasus finalized the agreement with bound4blue after evaluating the effects of the initial suction sails on the Eems Traveller, which has been operating with two 17-meter eSAILs since July 2023. The autonomous system, which operates by pulling air over its aerodynamic surface to create remarkable propulsive efficiency, aids in lowering fuel consumption, operational expenses, and air emissions, while also improving compliance with regulations.
“Amasus is committed to playing its part in the creation of a more efficient, responsible and sustainable shipping industry. And to achieve that we need to consider new ways of working and new technological solutions. The decision to install the eSAILs on the Eems Traveller was a tangible demonstration of that mindset and, we have to say, we’ve been thrilled by the results,” an Amasus spokesperson said.
“Third-party validation of eSAIL performance on the vessel, by Lloyd’s Register, is now being finalised and the figures, when released, will speak for themselves. It goes to show both the commercial and environmental sense in choosing wind as part of our evolving energy mix, while the collaboration with bound4blue demonstrates the importance of choosing the right industry partner. We look forward to more positive developments in 2025 and beyond,” the spokesperson said.
The latest contract highlights the increasing demand for bound4blue’s distinctive, DNV Type Approved wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS), which is well-established in the market, reliable, mechanically straightforward, and does not require any operational effort from the crew. Among the shipowners and operators that have secured contracts in the past year are Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Marflet Marine, and Louis Dreyfus Company, among others.
“This latest contract is a landmark for us,” comments José Miguel, CEO and co-founder at bound4blue. “We’ve secured a second agreement with a shipowner, showing how the technology meets all expectations as a proven, cost-effective, simple and reliable enabler for greener, more profitable and compliant shipping operations. We’re honoured to be chosen once again by this true industry leader.”
“As wind gathers favour, we expect to see these forward-thinking early adopters, such as Amasus, being joined by more and more owners and operators keen to take advantage of the obvious eSAIL benefits. In that respect, we believe the adoption curve is set for take-off.”
bound4blue’s eSAILs are designed for both new constructions and retrofitting across a wide range of vessel types, including, but not limited to, tankers, bulkers, roll-on/roll-off ships, cruise liners, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels. This technology assists shipping companies in simplifying compliance with regulations such as EU ETS, CII, and the upcoming FuelEU legislation, while typically providing a return on investment in under five years.
