In an insightful conversation with Adonis Violaris of CSN, José Miguel Bermúdez, co-founder and CEO of Bound4Blue, provides an overview of the company’s mission and its pivotal role in the maritime industry. Bermúdez discusses the technology’s contribution to sustainability and efficiency, the key innovations offered by Bound4Blue, and the company’s long-term vision for the sector.

bound4blue is a leader in providing wind-assisted propulsion systems, aiming to save fuel and reduce emissions in line with new regulatory standards such as EEXI, EEDI, CII, EU ETS, and FuelEU. The company’s goal is to be the foremost provider of these solutions, focusing on suction sails that combine the benefits of rotor sails and rigid sails, optimising performance and cost.

The industry is witnessing a surge in wind propulsion adoption, with bound4blue and competitors like Rotor Sails at the forefront. Bermúdez highlights the evolution of their technology since 2020, with significant cost reductions and performance enhancements. This progress is crucial as the industry faces increasing regulatory pressures and the need for sustainable solutions. bound4blue’s technology offers substantial savings, making it an attractive option for shipowners and operators.

Collaboration with classification societies, shipyards, and other stakeholders is essential to  bound4blue’s approach. Bermúdez discusses the importance of working closely with these entities for product approval, performance validation, and the development of new builds. The company is also exploring innovative business models, such as hardware as a service, leveraging data analytics to demonstrate the value of their systems.

Decarbonisation is a central theme in the shipping industry, with a focus on technologies like wind-assisted propulsion and new biofuels. bound4blue aims to be a leader in this space, leveraging wind power to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Bermúdez emphasises the complementarity of their technology with other innovations, viewing wind propulsion as a facilitator for the adoption of new biofuels.

bound4blue supports clients in achieving decarbonisation and energy efficiency by harnessing wind power. The direct application of thrust by their technology results in immediate fuel savings and emission reductions, aiding in regulatory compliance.

bound4blue has successfully retrofitted vessels with their technology, including projects for Amasus and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. Independent validation of their performance is underway, with initial results exceeding expectations and confirming the potential of their technology.

Bermúdez addresses the industry’s dual challenges: high fuel consumption and the push for more efficient, and less expensive, fuels due to environmental legislation. bound4blue’s technology is designed to tackle these issues, saving fuel and reducing emissions. This directly impacts regulations like EEXI, EEDI, CII, EU ETS, and FuelEU, positioning wind propulsion as a critical component in the industry’s sustainability efforts.

In response to industry trends, bound4blue is focusing on securing their systems and data processes. Cybersecurity is a growing concern, and the company is actively working to protect their technology and communication links.

Bermúdez outlines bound4blue’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, continuously improving their technology’s performance and cost-effectiveness. The company is poised to make wind propulsion a standard in the industry, aiming to be the go-to supplier for sustainable maritime solutions. Looking ahead, bound4blue’s retrofitting projects and performance validation efforts are laying the groundwork for broader industry adoption.

José Miguel Bermúdez’s passion for innovation and sustainability is evident in  bound4blue’s achievements and aspirations. As the maritime industry navigates the challenges of decarbonisation and efficiency, companies like  bound4blue are charting a course for a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.