Odfjell Installs Wind-Assisted Propulsion on Chemical Tanker
Global chemical tanker operator Odfjell has recently joined the ranks of shipping companies incorporating wind-assisted propulsion to reduce emissions. The first sail installation was completed in Antwerp, with the chemical tanker Bow Olympus slated to undergo monitoring to assess the impact on operations.
Erik Hjortland, VP Technology for Odfjell, stated, “The five-year-old vessel will embark on her second maiden voyage, equipped with four eSails, crossing the Atlantic towards Texas. Real-time analysis of each nautical mile will be crucial in determining the energy-saving effects and guiding future environmental improvements for our fleet.”
Odfjell opted for bound4blue’s eSails, specifically designed for the challenges of chemical tankers. The integration process required careful planning to fit seamlessly with tanker operations and air draft limitations.
According to bound4blue, their eSails generate six to seven times the propulsive lift of equivalent rigid sails, thanks to an optimized aerodynamic profile. The Bow Olympus, a 600-foot vessel weighing 49,000 dwt, was equipped with four 72-foot eSails.
The installation was split into two stages to accommodate the vessel’s schedule, with foundations fitted during drydocking and sails installed at EDR Antwerp Shipyard on March 10 and 11.
Hjortland highlighted Odfjell’s commitment to emission reduction, citing a 53% decrease in fleet carbon intensity since 2008 through operational measures and energy-saving devices. Wind power represents the next phase in their sustainability efforts.
Funded by the European Union’s Innovation Fund program, Odfjell plans to expand sail installations to more vessels following validation of results from the Bow Olympus. The company joins a growing list of owners, including Amasus and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, embracing wind-assisted propulsion.
David Ferrer, Co-Founder and CTO of bound4blue, noted increasing interest from major shipping companies like Maersk Tankers and Klaveness Combination Carriers in their eSAIL technology.