Singapore-based EPS extends eSAIL installation with bound4blue on newbuild tanker

Wind-assisted propulsion technology developer bound4blue on Tuesday (10 December) said Singapore-headquartered Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has signed a contract with it for three 22m eSAILs®.

The fully autonomous Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS) will be installed on a newbuild MR Tanker by New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China in late 2025.

The agreement follows EPS’s first project with bound4blue earlier this year, which involved retrofitting three eSAILs® on Pacific Sentinel, a 50,000dwt vessel, in February.

bound4blue said it is experiencing a surge in orders for its DNV Type Approved system, which works by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate propulsive efficiency. This helps reduce vessel fuel use, OPEX and emissions to air, while also enhancing regulatory compliance.

“In 2024 alone, bound4blue saw exponential growth, increasing from four projects on the orderbook to fourteen, with four installations up and running,” it said on its website.

EPS’s decision to incorporate eSAIL® technology aligns with its broader decarbonisation strategy, which includes dual-fuel vessels, biofuels, voyage optimisation systems, and carbon capture technologies.

Daniel Mann, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at bound4blue, said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating once again with EPS, one of the leaders at the forefront of the shipping industry’s green transformation. Their adoption of our eSAIL® technology not only reflects their commitment to greener shipping but also paves the way for broader industry adoption of Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems. These systems offer a proven, mechanically simple solution to reduce emissions, cut costs, and meet regulatory requirements such as FuelEU Maritime, CII, and EU ETS. We are thrilled to support EPS in achieving its ambitious sustainability goals.”

Mirtcho Spassov, Decarbonisation Manager at EPS, said: “We’re excited to be working alongside bound4blue and New Times Shipbuilding to install our first wind-assisted propulsion system on a newbuild vessel. This project represents a significant milestone in our decarbonisation journey and lays the foundation for wider adoption of WAPS technology across our fleet.”

EPS manages an extensive fleet comprising over 300 vessels with a combined DWT of 31 million.

Photo credit: bound4blue
Published: 11 December, 2024