As the maritime industry seeks innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency, bound4blue, a Barcelona-based company, has made significant strides in the development and deployment of its unique wind sail technology. Their success in securing funding and partnering with industry leaders underscores the growing interest in sustainable solutions for commercial shipping, as reported by Horizons.lr.
- Spanish company bound4blue secures significant funding and marks the first installation of its efficient suction sail technology in the maritime sector.
- Suction sails re-attach airflow, providing substantial efficiency gains and cost advantages, making wind power a viable choice for commercial ships.
- Wind sails benefit specific ship types and trading patterns, and bound4blue’s global supply chain approach offers shipowners flexibility in adopting this sustainable technology.
Bound4blue’s Successful Funding
Spanish wind sail company bound4blue recently raised over EUR 20 million in a successful funding round, attracting investors from prominent industry players like GTT and Louis Dreyfus Company. The company also celebrated its first suction sail installation on a chemical tanker owned by Odfjell.
The Technology Behind Suction Sails
Suction sails, one of several sail types suitable for commercial ships, offer a significant boost in efficiency by re-attaching airflow, leading to impressive energy savings. Bound4blue’s focus on this technology has advantages such as lower capital costs, easier installations, and shorter payback times, making wind power an attractive choice for various types of commercial vessels.
Proof of Superior Performance
Bound4blue has demonstrated the superior performance of its suction sails through pilot projects on different vessels, with verification provided by Lloyd’s Register. These installations include sail-equipped longliner fishing vessels, theatre vessels, and general cargo ships, among others. The company also has upcoming projects with prominent shipowners.
Sailing into a Windy Future
Wind sails are particularly advantageous for specific ship types, including tankers, bulk carriers, ferries, ro-ro vessels, and LNG carriers, depending on their trading patterns and routes. Bound4blue offers preliminary case analyses to estimate the benefits of suction sail installations based on a vessel’s details and trade, considering global wind patterns. The company’s unique global supply chain approach also enhances its appeal to shipowners, fostering flexibility in sail installations.
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Source:Horizons.lr
