Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has completed its first newbuild installation of three 22-metre bound4blue eSAILs® on the MR tanker Pacific Sunstone at New Times Shipbuilding. This milestone follows proven results from the Pacific Sentinel, where the suction sail technology delivered a 5.5% net fuel saving and an 8% reduction in net power. By integrating wind-assisted propulsion into the construction phase, EPS is leveraging non-ATEX fluidic technology to reduce OPEX and ensure high-tier compliance with CII, EEDI, and FuelEU Maritime regulations.
London, Singapore | March 19, 2026 – In a move that underscores the rapid maturation of wind-assisted propulsion, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has completed its first newbuild installation of bound4blue’s eSAIL® technology. The project saw three 22-metre-high suction sails fitted onto the MR tanker Pacific Sunstone at the New Times Shipbuilding yard in China.
This milestone follows the successful retrofit of the same technology on the Pacific Sentinel, marking a strategic transition for EPS from testing the technology to integrating it directly into the construction phase of its next-generation fleet.
The “Plug and Play” Newbuild Advantage
Unlike retrofits, which often require structural adjustments to existing decks, the Pacific Sunstone project allowed for the foundations and electrical connections to be “woven into the ship’s DNA” during construction. The sails, manufactured in Spain, were shipped to China for a streamlined “plug-and-play” connection, ensuring no delays to the vessel’s delivery schedule.
Proven Performance: Beyond the “Trial” Phase
The decision to go with a newbuild installation was driven by hard data. A six-month study conducted by EPS and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) on the retrofitted Pacific Sentinel yielded impressive results:
- 8% Net Power Reduction: Average across the study period.
- 5.5% Net Fuel Savings: Achieved even in predominantly unfavourable wind conditions.
- 20%+ Peak Savings: Recorded during favourable wind windows.
By installing these units on a newbuild, EPS expects to optimize these savings from day one of the vessel’s operational life.
Leadership Perspectives
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue, highlighted the suitability of suction sails for the complex tanker segment:
“Tankers are integral to world trade, but their complexity can pose headaches in terms of decarbonization. Our eSAILs® generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size, meaning there is no need for tilting systems and no impact on a vessel’s operational airdraft.”
Mirtcho Spassov, Decarbonization Manager at EPS, emphasized the operational practicality:
“Our experience with Pacific Sentinel demonstrated the operational performance and practicality of the eSAIL® system. Working closely with bound4blue and New Times Shipbuilding, the system was incorporated seamlessly into this newbuild’s schedule, strengthening the vessel’s operational efficiency.”
Financial and Regulatory ROI
For shipowners and bunker fuel purchasers, the eSAIL® technology offers a clear hedge against rising fuel costs and tightening environmental penalties.
- OPEX Savings: Typical payback on eSAIL® installations is now estimated at less than five years.
- Regulatory Compliance: The system directly improves a vessel’s standing within CII, EU ETS, and EEDI/EEXI frameworks.
- Wind Reward Factor: Under FuelEU Maritime, wind-assisted vessels benefit from specific reward factors that lower their overall compliance costs.
Technical Breakdown: Why Suction Sails?
The eSAIL® is a suction sail that works by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimized surface to generate exceptional lift. Because these units are non-ATEX, they are significantly easier and more cost-effective to install on tankers compared to other wind solutions that require complex explosion-proof certifications.
Eastern Pacific Shipping: A Global Leader in Green Maritime Innovation
With a legacy spanning 60 years, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) is a Singapore-headquartered powerhouse at the forefront of the industry’s green and technology-driven evolution. Managing a versatile fleet of over 350 vessels totaling 35 million deadweight-tonnes, EPS operates across the containership, dry bulk, gas, tanker, and PCTC segments. Driven by a 7,000-strong workforce, the company integrates in-house commercial, technical, and innovation departments to maintain its mission as a safe and efficient transportation provider of choice.
Following its strategic merger with CoolCo, EPS has significantly bolstered its gas shipping platform, further solidifying its role as a key architect of the maritime energy transition. Today, the company is recognized for its “fleet-as-a-platform” approach to decarbonization, aggressively deploying wind-assisted propulsion, alternative fuels, and carbon-capture technologies to redefine modern shipping standards.
bound4blue: Pioneering Cost-Efficient Wind Propulsion
Founded in 2014, bound4blue is a leading developer of automated wind propulsion systems designed as a turnkey solution for the global maritime industry. The company’s signature eSAIL® technology is a high-lift suction sail that provides a completely autonomous, low-maintenance, and easy-to-install method for reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Headquartered in Cantabria, Spain, with strategic offices in Barcelona and Singapore, bound4blue has rapidly scaled its operations since its first installation in 2021. The eSAIL® system is fuel-agnostic and suitable for a diverse range of vessel types, including tankers, bulkers, Ro-Ros, and gas carriers, regardless of their size or age. With nine ships currently deployed and an order book representing more than 50 eSAILs®, the company has become a preferred partner for industry giants such as Maersk Tankers, Odfjell, and Eastern Pacific Shipping, cementing its reputation as the developer of the most cost-efficient wind propulsion technology on the market today.
Source: bound4blue | EPS