Maersk Tankers & bound4blue: eSails for Greener Ocean Fleets

Maersk Tankers has taken a significant step towards greener shipping by securing a major deal with bound4blue.

The agreement will see the installation of 20 advanced eSAIL systems on five of its medium-range (MR) tankers by 2026. This contract, the largest of its kind for bound4blue, highlights a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation in the shipping industry.

With more than 300 vessels under its management, Maersk Tankers is a global leader in the tanker sector. The company, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Copenhagen, prides itself on pioneering solutions that enhance both economic and environmental performance.

Its collaboration with bound4blue aligns with its strategy to reduce emissions while maintaining commercial viability.

The eSAIL, developed by bound4blue, is a wind-assisted propulsion system designed to lower fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

The technology is validated and offers shipowners a straightforward, cost-effective way to meet environmental regulations.

Fully automated, low-maintenance and easy to install, the eSAIL can be adapted to a wide range of vessels, regardless of their size or age.

How the eSAIL boosts efficiency

The eSAIL operates by using suction to drag air across an aerodynamic surface, generating lift and delivering exceptional propulsive efficiency.

This translates to significant reductions in fuel consumption, operational costs and carbon emissions. Each of the five Maersk Tankers vessels, the Maersk Tacoma, Maersk Tampa, Maersk Tangier, Maersk Teesport and Maersk Tokyo, will be equipped with four eSAIL units.

These upgrades are projected to achieve double-digit percentage reductions in fuel use and CO2 emissions per ship. Such results are especially important as the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to comply with tightening regulations like the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and FuelEU Maritime.

The decision to install eSAILs followed an evaluation by Njord, a green technology consultancy, which assessed multiple wind propulsion options.

Njord’s analysis concluded that bound4blue’s solution offered the best environmental and commercial benefits for Maersk Tankers' operations.

A milestone for bound4blue

For bound4blue, this contract represents a turning point in its mission to revolutionise maritime propulsion.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cantabria, Spain, the company has rapidly emerged as a leader in renewable maritime energy solutions.

It has already equipped four vessels with its systems and is expanding partnerships with prominent shipowners, including Eastern Pacific Shipping, Louis Dreyfus Company and Marubeni Corporation.

José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-Founder of bound4blue, called the deal a "key milestone" for the company.

"The trust Maersk Tankers has placed in our technology reinforces the proven capabilities of our solution in reducing fuel consumption and emissions while contributing to CII and FuelEU regulatory compliance," he said.

José also highlighted the system’s robustness, noting that it is designed to operate safely under challenging conditions, making it ideal for tanker fleets.

The partnership with Maersk Tankers adds to a successful year for bound4blue, which has signed contracts with several other high-profile shipowners. This momentum is helping to drive the adoption of wind propulsion systems across the maritime sector, accelerating progress towards decarbonisation.

Sailing towards a sustainable future

The collaboration between bound4blue and Maersk Tankers demonstrates the shipping industry’s growing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.

By adopting innovative solutions like the eSAIL, Maersk Tankers is not only boosting efficiency but also setting a standard for others in the industry.

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