Barcelona, September 9, 2025 – BW Epic Kosan (BWEK), a global leader in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), petrochemical, and specialty gas transportation, has signed a landmark agreement with wind propulsion specialist bound4blue. This marks bound4blue’s first venture into the LPG segment, highlighting the growing momentum behind wind-assisted propulsion in global shipping.
The contract marks the debut of bound4blue’s cutting-edge 24-meter eSAIL® suction sail on an LPG carrier and represents the company’s first collaboration with BW Epic Kosan, an affiliated company of maritime powerhouse BW Group.
The sail will be installed aboard the Helena Kosan, a 2007-built LPG carrier, during a two-phase process beginning with dry docking in 2025, followed by full installation in 2026. The technology promises to bring BWEK significant gains in fuel savings, emissions reductions, and compliance simplification—all through a remarkably safe and simple solution that sidesteps explosion-proof equipment requirements.
Table of Contents
Breaking New Ground in Gas Carrier Wind Propulsion
“The tanker and LPG market is a key growth area for bound4blue, so it’s fantastic to agree a contract with the world leader in last-mile delivery of LPG, petrochemicals, and specialty gases,” said José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO & Co-founder of bound4blue.
The eSAIL® system, which utilizes suction-based wind propulsion, introduces a game-changing advantage for vessels transporting flammable cargoes: the ability to install non-explosion proof units safely and cost-effectively. By raising the maintenance hatch well above the hazardous zone, bound4blue eliminates the need for expensive and complex ATEX-certified components, a first for the LPG sector.
“When this simplicity is added to the proven performance of the system, which is also compact thanks to its superior propulsive efficiency, you have a technology that is perfectly suited for helping forward-thinking owners like BWEK meet ambitious decarbonization goals,” Bermúdez added.
Powerful Technology, Compact Footprint
The eSAIL® is DNV Type Approved and works by actively drawing air across an aerodynamic surface to generate lift—up to seven times greater than rigid sails of similar dimensions. This design yields superior thrust with a smaller footprint, an essential feature for vessels with limited deck space.
The impact is significant: fuel consumption and GHG emissions are cut, supporting compliance with a growing list of global and regional environmental regulations, including:
- EU ETS (Emissions Trading System)
- CII (Carbon Intensity Indicator)
- FuelEU Maritime
- IMO’s proposed Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI) regulation
Additional benefits are expected through eligibility for the EU’s wind reward factor, which incentivizes wind-assisted propulsion.
A Strategic Investment in Sustainable Shipping
“We are committed to investing in proven technologies that help minimize our operational environmental footprint,” said Jakob Bode, CEO of BW Epic Kosan. “We’ve already implemented several innovations, from ultrasonic transducers to graphene-based propeller coatings and advanced weather routing. Exploring wind propulsion was a logical next step.”
After thorough analysis, BWEK selected bound4blue’s eSAIL® as its preferred system. “We were impressed by its simplicity, safety, and operational efficiency. We look forward to seeing the eSAIL® in action on the Helena Kosan from 2026 onwards,” Bode added.
Plug-and-Play Efficiency
Installation will follow a straightforward two-step process:
- Dry dock preparation during Helena Kosan’s scheduled maintenance in 2025.
- Final plug-and-play installation of the eSAIL® in 2026.
This phased approach minimizes downtime and ensures seamless integration into existing vessel operations.
bound4blue’s eSAIL® is suitable for both retrofits and newbuilds across a wide spectrum of vessel types—Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Ferries, Gas Carriers, Cruise Ships, and General Cargo vessels—offering an average return on investment in under five years.
A Wind-Powered Future for Shipping
This partnership between bound4blue and BW Epic Kosan not only pioneers wind propulsion for LPG carriers but also signals a broader shift toward practical, scalable clean technologies in commercial shipping.
With increasing pressure to reduce emissions and meet global sustainability goals, the maritime industry is looking skyward—and bound4blue’s eSAIL® is poised to become a defining solution of the low-carbon era.
About BW Epic Kosan (BWEK)
BW Epic Kosan Ltd. operates the world’s largest fleet of small-scale gas carriers, specializing in the maritime transport of LPG, petrochemicals, and other specialty gases. With a diverse fleet of approximately 50 vessels, BWEK serves a global clientele that includes major oil companies and commodity traders across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The company’s strength lies in its deep technical and commercial expertise across pressurized, semi-refrigerated, and refrigerated gas transportation. Headquartered in Singapore, BWEK also maintains regional hubs in Copenhagen, Manila, and Tokyo.
bound4blue: Scaling Wind Power for the Shipping Industry
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cantabria, Spain, with offices in Barcelona and Singapore, bound4blue has quickly risen to become a recognized leader in automated wind propulsion systems. Since the first commercial installation of eSAIL® in 2021, the company has deployed the system on seven vessels, with 12 more ships and over 50 sails in its growing order book.
The company’s prestigious client base includes shipping majors such as:
- Maersk Tankers
- Eastern Pacific Shipping
- Odfjell
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- Klaveness Combination Carriers
- Marflet Marine
Source bound4blue