Wind-assisted propulsion pioneer bound4blue has signed its first-ever contract in the LPG carrier segment, agreeing to install a 24-metre tall eSAIL suction sail on BW Epic Kosan’s (BWEK) Helena Kosan. The agreement also marks the company’s first collaboration with the Singapore-based gas shipping specialist, which operates as an affiliate of the BW Group. Scheduled for installation in 2026, the autonomous wind propulsion system is expected to deliver significant fuel savings, emission reductions, and cost efficiencies while helping BWEK advance its decarbonisation strategy.
The project represents a breakthrough for bound4blue in the tanker and LPG market. José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue, highlighted the unique advantages of the company’s mechanically simple technology. Unlike traditional ATEX-proof systems required for hazardous environments, the eSAIL design allows the maintenance door to be positioned well above deck, removing the system entirely from hazardous zones. This means non-explosion proof units can be fitted safely and cost-effectively on LPG carriers and other tankers, lowering complexity and expense.
“The tanker and LPG market is a key growth area for bound4blue,” Bermúdez said. “When you combine the simplicity of installation with the proven efficiency of our compact, high-performance system, you have a technology that can support shipowners like BWEK in achieving both commercial and environmental goals.”
The DNV Type Approved eSAIL works by drawing air across an aerodynamic surface to generate lift, achieving up to seven times the thrust of a rigid sail of equivalent size. This high efficiency allows the system to deliver greater propulsion power with a smaller footprint, making it particularly suitable for retrofitting. By reducing fuel consumption and emissions, it supports compliance with tightening regulations, including the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII), FuelEU Maritime, and the forthcoming IMO GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) framework.
For BWEK, the deal reflects a continued commitment to investing in innovative solutions that cut emissions and improve efficiency. CEO Jakob Bode said the company had already introduced a range of technologies, including ultrasonic transducers, graphene-based propeller coatings, and advanced weather routing, while also exploring alternative fuels such as ammonia. “Wind power was identified as having potential and, after careful studies, bound4blue’s eSAIL was selected as the system of choice,” Bode explained. “We look forward to benefiting from its simplicity and efficacy in action on the Helena Kosan from 2026 onwards.”
The installation will follow a straightforward two-step process, with preparatory work scheduled during a dry docking in 2025, followed by a “plug and play” fitting of the sail the next year. Designed for both retrofits and newbuilds across a wide variety of vessel types including tankers, bulk carriers, ro-ros, cruise ships, ferries, and gas carriers bound4blue’s eSAIL technology typically delivers a return on investment in under five years.
The new order adds BWEK to a growing list of owners turning to bound4blue’s wind-assisted propulsion systems. Recent contracts have come from companies such as Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and Klaveness Combination Carriers, while installations have already been completed for Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping and Louis Dreyfus Company.
