bound4blue completes eSAIL installation on Klaveness newbuild
(Posted on 23/04/26)
bound4blue has announced completion of the installation of two 24-metre eSAILs onboard the Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) newbuild MV Baltazar. bound4blue’s unique suction sails, capable of delivering double digit fuel savings and compelling regulatory gains, were fitted onboard the latest of KCC’s CABU III projects at New Yangzi Shipbuilding in China. MV Baltazar is expected to commence operations in Q3 2026.
The installation is a significant milestone for bound4blue, marking its first project featuring suction sails manufactured locally in China, and among the earliest adoptions of advanced wind propulsion technology on a combination carrier.
“This is a landmark project in many respects,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue. “It demonstrates how already efficient vessel designs can be optimised even further with free, accessible and readily available wind power, delivering environmental, commercial and regulatory advantages.
“As a company we are scaling up capabilities, in China and beyond, to help forward-thinking operators like KCC embrace wind simply, efficiently and with maximum benefits. We’d like to thank both them and New Yangzi Shipbuilding for their strong collaboration in what we see as an exciting development for the combination carrier segment.”
The KCC project follows a series of high-profile eSAIL contracts and installations with shipowners such as Louis Dreyfus Company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and BW Epic Kosan. It demonstrates bound4blue’s increasing global footprint, particularly in China where the business recently entered a number of strategic partnerships to build up production, logistics and service capacity.
The autonomous units work by using an internal fan system to accelerate airflow over an aerodynamically designed surface, generating forward thrust up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size. That clean power eases engine loads, cuts fuel consumption, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while delivering ongoing benefits for compliance with regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime, via the Wind Reward Factor, EEDI/EEXI, CII and EU ETS.
Latest News
Steel cutting marks start of construction of first Green Handy
(Posted on 07/06/26)The construction of the first methanol-powered Green Handy vessel has commenced at China Merchants Jinling... Read more
Aging fleet and growing safety deficiencies behind rise in costly PSD detentions
(Posted on 07/06/26)Survitec is warning shipowners and operators that port state control (PSC) detentions are becoming an... Read more
Marshall Islands Registry recognises milestones and achievements at Posidonia
(Posted on 07/06/26)The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Registry recognized several milestones and achievements during... Read more
TT Club warns ports against 'knee-jerk' responses to ships in distress
(Posted on 07/06/26)TT Club, the leading global transport and logistics insurer, highlights the critical complexities ports... Read more
Posidonia 2026 takes centre stage amid global freedom of navigation challenges
(Posted on 29/05/26)From insurance and risk management to energy transition, digitalisation and maritime security, the Posidonia... Read more
First maritime compliance & prevention-focused organisation, PaS, joins DBCE
(Posted on 29/05/26)Prevention at Sea (PaS), a leading maritime compliance, auditing, and digital solutions provider, has... Read more
NorthStandard reports strong results and strategic momentum
(Posted on 29/05/26)NorthStandard has reported strong financial results, continued strategic progress and enhanced support... Read more
Latest guidance for vessel transit through Strait of Hormuz
(Posted on 25/05/26)Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more... Read more
The Bahamas regains QUALSHIP 21 eligibility
(Posted on 25/05/26)The Bahamas has regained eligibility for the United States Coast Guard’s QUALSHIP 21 programme... Read more
First dedicated STS standard for dry bulk released by INTERCARGO
(Posted on 22/05/26)Ship to ship (STS) transfers are an established part of dry bulk operations, and they are growing. As... Read more
