https://bound4blue.com/bound4blue-secures-major-wind-propulsion-retrofit-contract-with-maersk-tankers/

In a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint, Maersk Tankers has signed an extensive contract with clean-tech provider bound4blue to equip five Medium Range (MR) tankers with wind-assisted propulsion technology. The agreement, announced on November 11, 2024, in Barcelona, represents the largest deployment of bound4blue’s eSAIL® suction sails to date. A total of 20 eSAILs®, each 26 meters tall, will be installed on the vessels between 2025 and 2026.

This innovative project, part of Maersk Tankers' ongoing fleet sustainability strategy, is expected to deliver substantial fuel savings and emissions reductions. Njord, a green technology consultant, collaborated with Maersk Tankers to evaluate various wind-assist solutions, selecting bound4blue’s eSAIL® technology for its environmental and economic advantages. The eSAIL® generates lift through air drawn across its aerodynamic surface, effectively boosting vessel propulsion while decreasing fuel use and operational costs.

The vessels slated for these installations — the Maersk Tacoma, Maersk Tampa, Maersk Tangier, Maersk Teesport, and Maersk Tokyo — are anticipated to achieve double-digit reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per vessel. This landmark project underscores Maersk Tankers' commitment to sustainable shipping solutions amid increasing regulatory and environmental pressures.