Largest eSail Technology to be Installed on Cargo Ship for Sustainable Shipping

Amasus, a European shipping company, has partnered with Spain’s bound4blue for a second installation of the eSail technology on one of its cargo ships. This installation will be the largest suction sail system on a general cargo vessel, with a 22-meter unit being retrofitted on a 90-meter cargo ship with a capacity of 3,000 dwt. The installation is scheduled for mid-2025 at the Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain. The eSail technology is a wind-assisted propulsion system that produces six to seven times more lift than conventional sails, utilizing an autonomous system that generates propulsive force by dragging air across its aerodynamic surface.

Amasus decided to proceed with the second installation after evaluating the impact of the first suction sails on the Eems Traveller, a 2,850 dwt vessel that began testing the technology in July 2023. The eSail technology was validated by Lloyd’s Register, with data from the Eems Traveller’s operation currently being finalized for release. Bound4blue, which started in 2015, has developed various models and sizes of its suction sail technology, suitable for both retrofits and newbuilds across different vessel segments like tankers, bulkers, Ro-Ros, cruises, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels.

The eSail technology works by using an aerodynamic shape and marine-grade materials to create a porous surface through which air is sucked, with a suction fan at the top to maintain airflow attachment. The system includes a flap controlled by an electric motor to optimize airflow, with the entire structure capable of rotation. Amasus and Bound4blue’s collaboration demonstrates a commitment to advancing sustainable shipping practices and reducing emissions in the maritime industry. Other notable companies that have adopted the eSail technology include Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Marflet Marine, and Louis Dreyfus Company.

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