Spanish wind-assisted propulsion company bound4blue has announced the successful installation of what they claim to be the world’s largest suction sails. Four of their 26-meter high eSAILs® have been fitted to the MV Atlantic Orchard, a specialized juice carrier. The vessel is chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) and owned by Wisby Tankers AB of Sweden, reports bound4blue.
Flexible and Profitable
This recent installation represents the third deployment of bound4blue’s technology this year, highlighting the company’s capacity for delivery, scalability, and deployment oversight. It follows a series of recent installations where their DNV Type Approved suction sails (eSAILs®) have been fitted to a diverse range of vessels, including MR tankers, general cargo ships, and ro-ro vessels.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue, emphasizes that this project demonstrates the simplicity and versatility of integrating advanced Wind Propulsion Systems (WPS) for the evolving shipping industry. He comments that “eSAILs® offer an easy, proven, and economically beneficial pathway to greener operations for a wide variety of shipping segments, including unique vessel types such as juice carriers. This specialist project is a prime example of how our technology meets customer needs. In this case, the units were lifted into positions originally occupied by four deck cranes, with all electrical and structural work, sail preparation, and full unit programming carried out in one coordinated yard visit.”
This successful integration on a specialized vessel like a juice carrier further underscores the adaptability of bound4blue’s eSAILs® and the efficiency of their installation process.
Preferred Technology
Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) were identified as the preferred technology for the MV Atlantic Orchard following a thorough evaluation of various emissions-reducing and efficiency-boosting technologies by Louis Dreyfus Company’s (LDC) shipping decarbonization team.
To ensure an objective selection process, Lloyd’s Register, a reputable maritime classification society, was engaged to conduct an expert third-party assessment of the competing solutions. After this rigorous evaluation, bound4blue’s fully autonomous suction sail system was chosen in late 2023 for installation on the vessel.
Sébastien Landerretche, LDC’s Global Head of Freight, expressed his enthusiasm for this project, stating, “Reflecting LDC’s journey to help shape a low-carbon maritime industry, and thanks to bound4blue’s unique technology as well as Wisby Tankers’ collaboration, we are excited about this significant first step of a voyage that represents a new milestone in our Group’s long history in shipping. We look forward to sharing our initial experiences and insights in the weeks to come, as we complete our first crossing to Brazil, before returning to Europe.”
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Source: bound4blue
