- DNV has validated bound4blue’s wind propulsion performance methodology, making it easier to demonstrate regulatory compliance and ROI.
- The validation enables accurate performance forecasting of eSAIL® suction sail technology without full-scale testing.
- This breakthrough supports faster, lower-risk adoption of wind propulsion, offering significant commercial and environmental benefits.
Bound4blue has marked a major milestone with the DNV validation of its innovative ‘wind propulsion system force matrix’ methodology. This tool enables a reliable assessment of its eSAIL® suction sail technology’s performance, without requiring costly or time-consuming full-scale testing. With this development, shipowners, designers, and shipyards can now more easily quantify the benefits of wind-assisted propulsion for individual vessels.
The validation unlocks a simpler path to adopting wind energy at sea, equipping decision-makers with accurate, regulation-ready insights into fuel savings, emissions reductions, and return on investment. The methodology has been confirmed to meet international rules and standards, making it applicable within key regulatory frameworks such as EEDI, EEXI, and the newly implemented FuelEU Maritime.
How the Force Matrix Methodology Works
At the heart of this breakthrough is bound4blue’s force matrix approach, which calculates the thrust generated by eSAILs® across a full range of wind and sailing conditions. This is achieved using a hybrid data model that integrates wind tunnel testing, CFD simulations, and potential flow models. These inputs allow for the analysis of multiple sail configurations, providing accurate insights tailored to each vessel.
David Ferrer, CTO and Co-founder of bound4blue, emphasized the significance of the validation, noting that it simplifies compliance and decision-making by offering a trusted methodology that reflects real-world performance. According to Ferrer, the growing interest in wind power stems from its immediate availability and its potential to deliver both economic and environmental value. However, uncertainty around performance has been a barrier to adoption—until now.
Validation Fuels Confidence Among Early Adopters
For companies already deploying eSAIL® technology, the validation offers additional assurance. Odfjell, which has installed eSAILs® on the Bow Olympus, welcomed the certification as a key step in ensuring that performance claims can be used confidently for regulatory reporting. Jan Opedal, Manager Projects at Odfjell, confirmed that this supports both internal assessments and broader strategic decisions in navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
This sentiment is echoed by DNV’s Chief Operating Officer, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, who stated that independent validation is crucial for accelerating the uptake of sustainable maritime technologies. She emphasized the importance of transparency and comparability in performance claims to help shipping companies make informed investment decisions that benefit both competitiveness and the environment.
Momentum Builds in Wind-Assisted Propulsion
bound4blue’s autonomous eSAIL® systems are already making significant inroads in the market. Recent orders from major players like Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and Klaveness Combination Carriers reflect growing confidence in the technology. Installations have been completed for Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Louis Dreyfus Company, demonstrating the system’s broad applicability. Designed for both newbuilds and retrofits, eSAILs® require no operational input from crew and offer a mechanically simple, robust solution for wind-assisted propulsion.
Regulatory and Commercial Gains
With the FuelEU Maritime regulation placing a premium on wind energy through the Wind Reward Factor, the value proposition of eSAILs® is growing. Vessels equipped with wind propulsion technologies can benefit from relaxed compliance targets—up to 5%—and improved energy efficiency indicators such as EEDI and EEXI. They also reduce costs and emissions related to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), while positively influencing Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings.
From a commercial standpoint, bound4blue reports a typical payback period of under five years, making the technology not only environmentally beneficial but also financially compelling. eSAILs® are suitable for a diverse range of vessels including tankers, bulkers, ferries, Ro-Ros, cruise ships, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels.
A Clearer Path to Wind Power Adoption
The DNV validation of bound4blue’s performance methodology represents a significant advancement in wind propulsion adoption. By providing a credible, standardized tool for assessing the benefits of eSAIL® systems, bound4blue is empowering the maritime sector to make smarter, faster decisions in the transition to greener shipping. With regulations tightening and environmental accountability becoming a commercial imperative, solutions like eSAIL® offer a practical, proven way forward.
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Source: Bound4blue
