• Marflet Marine to install four bound4blue 22-meter-high eSAILs® on oil and chemical tanker Santiago I.

• Company becomes first Spanish shipowner in merchant fleet to commit to wind assisted propulsion (WAP), with installation scheduled for mid-2025.

 Marflet Marine , one of Spain’s longest standing private shipping companies, has signed a contract with bound4blue for the installation of four 22m eSAILs® on the 49999 DWT oil and chemical tanker Santiago I. Agreed as part of Marflet’s ongoing decarbonisation strategy, the installation will enable Santiago I to dramatically reduce conventional fuel use, optimising operating costs and cutting GHG emissions.

Autonomous efficiency 

The contract, with installation in 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 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 modelling, 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 optimise 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 newbuilds and retrofitting across the huge 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 mean 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.