In a momentous leap towards revolutionizing maritime sustainability, Marflet Marine, a stalwart in Spain’s private shipping sector, has forged a landmark agreement with bound4blue. This transformative partnership entails the installation of Four state-of-the-art 22m eSAILs® aboard the 49999 DWT oil and chemical tanker Santiago I. As an integral facet of Marflet’s relentless decarbonization agenda, this installation promises to usher in a new era of eco-conscious navigation. By embracing this cutting-edge technology, Santiago I is poised to achieve unprecedented reductions in traditional marine fuel consumption, thereby optimizing operational efficiency and significantly slashing GHG emissions.
Autonomous Efficiency
The contract, with installation scheduled for mid-2025, makes Marflet the first Spanish merchant fleet owner to adopt a WAP system. It marks a further landmark development for bound4blue’s fully autonomous ‘suction sail’ eSAIL® technology, which has recently been selected by other leading industry names including Eastern Pacific Shipping, Louis Dreyfus Company, and Odfjell.
Working by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency, the unique system is simple, robust, highly efficient, and requires zero operational input from the crew.
Sustainable Success with Wind Propulsion
“This is a very significant contract for us, not only because Marflet is the first Spanish merchant fleet shipowner to join the wind revolution, but also because with this contract, we reinforce our position as the preferred solution for tankers,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO, bound4blue. “Having Marflet ‘on board’ is a source of real pride, signifying that more and more shipowners are realizing the great potential of wind as a decarbonizing force within the industry.
“The wind revolution is here, and the time is now: as regulations become more stringent and stakeholders demand action to achieve environmental goals, solutions such as our eSAILs® allow owners to harness a natural, clean power source while also realizing significant commercial benefits.”
Strong Savings
Santiago I, which operates worldwide, will have four ‘model 2’ turnkey eSAIL® units fitted, with Spanish engineering specialist Cotenaval taking charge of tasks including designing the sail foundations and electrical installation. The easy installation of the units provided a key selling point for the shipowner, minimizing additional engineering work and limiting downtime when compared to competing emission reduction technologies.
Depending on vessel routing and operations, and according to detailed modeling, Santiago I should save around 10 and 15% of annual energy consumption with the reduced main engine loads.
Driving Down Emissions by Increasing Efficiency
“This contract demonstrates our determination to identify innovative pathways to enhance operational sustainability,” comments Juan Cremades, Fleet Manager at Marflet. “With bound4blue’s eSAILs® onboard, Santiago I has a cost-effective means to optimize fuel efficiency and really drive down emissions, benefiting all our stakeholders. We see huge potential in wind, and we’re thrilled to be the first mover in the Spanish merchant market to adopt such a breakthrough solution.
“The Santiago I’s voyage will continue from here. In addition to the suction sail technology, we will now focus on additional ways to reduce underwater radiated noise and further improve both efficiency and safety with advanced weather route analysis.”
bound4blue’s technology is suitable for both new builds and retrofitting across the vast majority of vessel segments, including, but not limited to, Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruises, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels. eSAILs® are a powerful means of enhancing compliance with existing and upcoming regulations, including improving vessel CII ratings, boosting EEDI and EEXI, complying with the advent of FuelEU Maritime, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.
About bound4blue
bound4blue develops automated wind-assisted propulsion systems as a turnkey solution for all shipowners and shipping companies seeking to reduce fuel costs and polluting emissions. bound4blue’s eSAIL® system is a validated solution for saving fuel and emissions, completely autonomous, with low maintenance and easy installation onboard, being the most cost-efficient wind propulsion technology today.
It is suitable for Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruises, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels, regardless of their size or age. The company, founded in 2014 with a vocation clearly focused on the renewable energy sector in the maritime field, has its headquarters in Cantabria (Spain), and offices in Barcelona and Singapore. The company has installed its eSAIL® system on four ships and has signed additional agreements with other shipowners like Eastern Pacific Shipping, Louis Dreyfus Company, Marubeni Corporation, Odfjell, and SNA TUHA’A PAE to install the system on their fleets.
About Marflet Marine
Marflet Marine is a privately-owned company dedicated to the management, operation, and chartering of product & chemical tankers. For Marflet Marine, a proud seven-decade background underpins a forward strategy featuring a technically advanced fleet, market agility, and a highly motivated staff.
Marflet Marine shares similar company values with its partners in respect of quality, safety, and environmental care. Through this cooperation, the company operates one of the most highly advanced IMO2 MR tanker fleets in the market.
Source bound4blue