Marflet Marine Contracts
Marflet Marine (Marflet), one of Spain’s longest standing private shipping companies, has signed a contract with bound4blue for the installation of four 22m eSAILs® on the 49999 DWT oil and chemical tanker Santiago I. Agreed as part of Marflet’s ongoing decarbonisation strategy, the installation will enable Santiago I to dramatically reduce conventional fuel use, optimising operating costs and cutting GHG emissions.
The contract, scheduled for installation in mid-2025, positions Marflet as the first Spanish merchant fleet owner to adopt a Wind-Assisted Propulsion (WAP) system. This development is significant for bound4blue’s eSAIL® technology, which has also been adopted by industry leaders like Eastern Pacific Shipping, Louis Dreyfus Company, and Odfjell.
Working by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency, the unique system is simple, robust, highly efficient and requires zero operational input from crew.
“This is a very significant contract for us, not only because Marflet is the first Spanish merchant fleet shipowner to join the wind revolution, but also because with this contract, we reinforce our position as the preferred solution for tankers,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO, bound4blue. “Having Marflet ‘on board’ is a source of real pride, signifying that more and more shipowners are realizing the great potential of wind as a decarbonizing force within the industry”.
Innovative eSAIL® Technology
“The wind revolution is here, and the time is now: as regulations become more stringent and stakeholders demand action to achieve environmental goals, solutions such as our eSAILs® allow owners to harness a natural, clean power source while also realizing significant commercial benefits.”
Santiago I will have four ‘model 2’ turnkey eSAIL® units fitted. Spanish engineering specialist Cotenaval will manage tasks such as designing the sail foundations and electrical installation. The easy installation of these units was a key selling point for Marflet, minimizing additional engineering work and limiting downtime compared to other emission reduction technologies.
Expected Energy Savings & Marflet’s Commitment
Depending on vessel routing and operations, and according to detailed modelling, Santiago I should save around 10 and 15% of annual energy consumption with the reduced main engine loads.
“This contract demonstrates our determination to identify innovative pathways to enhance operational sustainability,” comments Juan Cremades, Fleet Manager at Marflet. “With bound4blue’s eSAILs® onboard, Santiago I has a cost-effective means to optimise fuel efficiency and really drive down emissions, benefiting all our stakeholders. We see huge potential in wind, and we’re thrilled to be the first mover in the Spanish merchant market to adopt such a breakthrough solution”.
Future Enhancements
“The Santiago I’s voyage will continue from here. In addition to the suction sail technology, we will now focus on additional ways to reduce underwater radiated noise and further improve both efficiency and safety with advanced weather route analysis.”
Bound4blue’s technology is suitable for both new builds and retrofits across various vessel segments, including tankers, bulkers, Ro-Ros, cruises, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels. eSAILs® help vessels comply with current and future regulations, improve vessel CII ratings, boost EEDI and EEXI, comply with FuelEU Maritime, and contribute to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme allowances.
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Source: Bound4blue
