Spanish Company Installs World’s Largest Suction Sails on Wisby Tankers-owned Vessel
Spanish suction sails developer bound4blue has made headlines by successfully installing the world’s largest suction sails on the Wisby Tankers-owned Atlantic Orchard juice carrier. The vessel, which is currently under charter by Louis Dreyfus, underwent the installation of four 26-meter high eSAILs in record time.
The installation process took place during the vessel’s 10-year survey at Astander Shipyard in Spain. Each unit was installed in under a day, showcasing the efficiency and effectiveness of bound4blue’s technology.
With the new suction sails in place, the Atlantic Orchard is set to take advantage of the Wind Reward Factor, along with other benefits such as reduced fuel consumption and emissions. The vessel, originally a dry bulk carrier before undergoing a conversion in 2020, is projected to achieve fuel and emission savings of around 10% depending on its trading routes.
This milestone installation on the Atlantic Orchard marks bound4blue’s third successful project of the year. The company has been at the forefront of installing suction sails on various types of vessels, including MR tankers, general cargo ships, and ro-ro vessels.
CEO and co-founder of bound4blue, Miguel Bermúdez, expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, “This specialist project is a prime example of how our technology meets customer needs. The seamless installation of the eSAILs on the vessel demonstrates our commitment to providing efficient and sustainable solutions.”
bound4blue’s eSAILs have a proven track record of offering a quick return on investment, with a typical payback period of less than five years. These innovative sails are suitable for both newbuilds and retrofits of various vessel types, including tankers, bulkers, cruise ships, and ferries.
The company has received orders from prominent shipping companies such as Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Klaveness Combination Carriers, highlighting the industry’s growing interest in sustainable propulsion solutions.