Eastern Pacific Shipping marks first move into wind-assisted propulsion

bound4blue installed its eSAIL suction sails on tanker Pacific Sentinel for Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) at Besiktas Shipyard in Turkey during a planned drydocking. 

Three 22-m, DNV type-approved eSAILs were installed on 50,000-dwt Pacific Sentinel in under a day per unit. The fully autonomous wind-assisted propulsion system will help the vessel reduce energy consumption with forecasted energy consumption savings of around 10% depending on vessel routeing, slashing opex and emissions to air, while also enhancing regulatory compliance. 

The installation heralds EPS’ first step into wind-assisted propulsion while also marking bound4blue’s first tanker installation. The Spain-based wind pioneer has undertaken a fast-track process, ensuring minimal vessel downtime with all work undertaken during planned vessel maintenance at the shipyard. 

bound4blue co-founder and chief technical officer David Ferrer explained, “We’re committed to helping shipping companies, such as EPS, embrace clean, proven, wind power in the simplest, most cost efficient and effective manner. The vessel and sails were fully prepared in advance, ensuring they could be lifted and bolted into place without extending the planned time at the yard.”

Mr Ferrer added the nature of the eSAIL unlocks further advantages for cost, weight savings and efficiency on what could otherwise have been a demanding task. “An MR tanker creates unique challenges in terms of ATEX zones and air draft limitations, but the eSAILs® simplicity is the ideal solution. It allows for non-EX-proof units, which streamlines the process and reduces capex, while their high performance achieves substantial savings without requiring excessively large sails, eliminating the need for tilting mechanisms and allowing for compatibility with the vessel’s existing air draft. It is, we believe, an ‘easy’ way for such vessels, and many other demanding shipping segments, to access the compelling commercial, regulatory and environmental advantages of wind power.” 

The installation was completed in collaboration with the American Bureau of Shipping. Achieving a wind-assisted notation played a key role in verifying the structural integration of the eSAILs with the vessel while aligning with regulatory frameworks such as the EU ETS, CII and FuelEU Maritime. 

bound4blue has installed its solution on five vessels, with many more in its growing orderbook. EPS has signed a new agreement for the installation of three eSAILs on an MR tanker under construction at New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. This installation is scheduled for late 2025. 

Speaking of the collaboration with bound4blue, EPS decarbonisation manager Mirtcho Spassov commented, “We are committed to reducing emissions across our fleet by embracing cutting-edge green technologies, including wind-assisted propulsion, and look forward to harnessing the benefits of wind propulsion in support of our drive to decarbonise. We look forward to completing our second installation later this year.” 

Bound4blue explained the eSAIL units work by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency. It offers a typical payback of less than five years.