Wind-Assisted Propulsion with eSails Installed on Tanker for Emission Reduction

Global chemical tanker operator Odfjell has recently joined the trend of incorporating wind-assisted propulsion into their operations to reduce emissions. Their first sail installation was completed in Antwerp, with the chemical tanker Bow Olympus now undergoing careful monitoring to assess the impact on operations. Odfjell’s VP Technology, Erik Hjortland, emphasized the importance of analyzing the energy-saving effects of the sail installation in real-time as the vessel embarks on its journey across the Atlantic towards Texas.

Odfjell selected bound4blue’s eSails for their chemical tankers due to their suitability for the vessel’s unique challenges, such as a deck covered in pipes for multiple cargo tanks. The integration of the sail foundations required meticulous planning to ensure compatibility with tanker operations and air draft limitations. The eSails, which generate six to seven times the propulsive lift of equivalently sized rigid sails, were installed on the Bow Olympus in two stages to accommodate the vessel’s operating schedule.

Hjortland highlighted Odfjell’s commitment to reducing emissions, citing a 53% decrease in fleet carbon intensity since 2008 through operational measures and various energy-saving devices. The wind power project, funded by the European Union, marks a significant step towards further environmental improvements. Once the results from the Bow Olympus are validated, Odfjell plans to install sails on more of its vessels, joining other shipping companies like Amasus, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs in adopting eSAILs. David Ferrer, Co-Founder and CTO of bound4blue, mentioned that major players in the industry are increasingly incorporating eSAILs into their fleets, indicating a growing demand for this technology.

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