Bound4blue’s Wind Propulsion Performance Methodology Validated by DNV

Spanish automated wind-assisted propulsion system specialist bound4blue has secured validation from Norway’s classification society DNV for its wind propulsion performance methodology.

On June 5, bound4blue received approval from DNV for its ‘wind propulsion system force matrix’ calculation method. This methodology provides shipowners, designers, and yards with a regulation-ready tool to evaluate the performance of the company’s eSAIL suction sail technology without the need for full-scale testing.

The validated methodology allows the estimation of the thrust generated by eSAILs across various operational scenarios. This tool is expected to help vessel owners and operators save time and money by providing forecasts of fuel savings, emissions reductions, return on investment, and regulatory benefits for individual ships.

According to bound4blue, DNV’s green light indicates that the results align with global rules and standards and can be used for key regulatory frameworks like FuelEU Maritime, Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI), and Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI).

David Ferrer, Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder at bound4blue, emphasized the importance of this validation, calling it “crucial” for the company’s future vision.

“The validation not only confirms the accuracy of our performance assessments but also ensures they are immediately applicable for compliance with today’s most important environmental regulations. It simplifies decision-making for stakeholders and removes uncertainty when evaluating wind-assisted propulsion,” he stated.

Last year, bound4blue received DNV’s approval for its eSAILs solution. The company experienced a surge in interest in its wind propulsion solution, with projects increasing from four to 14 by December 2024.

This momentum has continued into 2025. In March, Norwegian shipping company Odfjell completed the first installation of a wind-assisted propulsion system on the chemical tanker Bow Olympus under a deal with bound4blue. In April, bound4blue installed “the world’s largest” suction sails on the MV Atlantic Orchard, a vessel chartered by Louis Dreyfus Company and owned by Wisby Tankers.