After the “Eems Traveller”, the Dutch shipping company Amasus is equipping a second freighter with a sail supplied by Bound4Blue.
At 22 metres, the installation will be the largest suction sail on such a ship to date. The 90-metre-long general cargo ship (3,000 dwt) is to be retrofitted at the Astander shipyard in Santander, Spain. The work is scheduled for mid-2025.
Amasus once again chose Bound4Blue as its contractual partner after the first sail on the “Eems Traveller”, which was on display at the SMM in Hamburg and received DNV classification, showed positive results. The ship has been sailing with two 17 metre high “eSails” since July 2023. These sails are characterised by the fact that they draw air over their aerodynamic surface via an autonomous system in order to increase the ship’s propulsion efficiency. This helps to improve the fuel consumption, operating costs and emissions of the equipped ship.
Amasus wants to “set new standards”
With the new 22-metre-high system on a general cargo ship, Amasus is now aiming to set “new standards”, according to the company. The company is “delighted” with the results achieved with the sails on board the “Eems Traveller” and will now take the next step. The classification for the system is currently being finalised by Lloyd’s Register. “The figures will speak for themselves once they are published,” concluded Amasus. Together with Bound4Blue, they are looking forward to positive developments in 2025 and beyond.
“This latest contract is a milestone for us,” commented José Miguel, CEO and co-founder of Bound4Blue. “It is the first time we have signed a second contract with a shipping company. This shows that our technology meets all expectations as it has proven to be a cost-efficient, simple and reliable enabler for greener, more profitable and compliant ship operations. We are honoured to have been selected again by a true industry leader.”
Growing acceptance for sails
In the future, the company expects other shipowners and shipping companies to follow the example of Amasus and Louis Dreyfus. Acceptance will rise “steeply”, says Miguel.
The “eSails” suction sails are not only suitable for general cargo ships, but can also be installed on many different types of ships, including tankers, cruise ships, ferries and RoRo ships, according to the company. “The technology helps shipping companies simplify compliance with regulations such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the CII and the upcoming FuelEU legislation and achieve benefits while typically paying for itself in less than five years,” Bound4Blue said.
