Eastern Pacific Shipping makes first wind-assisted propulsion move with bound4blue eSAILs®

• Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) to install three bound4blue eSAILs® on Pacific Sentinel in Q4 2024.
• Investment shows EPS’ commitment to decarbonisation journey, with forecasted energy consumption savings of around 10%, depending on vessel routing

SINGAPORE, 22 February 2024 – Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has signed a contract for its first ever wind-assisted propulsion system, partnering with bound4blue to install three 22-metre eSAILs® onboard the Pacific Sentinel. The turnkey ‘suction sail’ technology, which drags air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency, will be fitted later this year, helping the 183-metre, 50,000 DWT oil and chemical tanker reduce overall energy consumption by approximately 10%, depending on vessel routing.

Flexible Efficiency

bound4blue is gaining significant industry traction for its fully autonomous eSAIL® technology, with this latest agreement following similar contracts recently. Suitable for both newbuilds and retrofit projects, the system delivers energy efficiency and cost savings for a broad range of vessels, regardless of their size and age.

Milestone Development

José Miguel Bermudez, CEO and co-founder at bound4blue, believes the contract with EPS marks a significant milestone for the company. “Signing an agreement with an industry player of the scale and reputation of EPS not only highlights the growing recognition of wind-assisted propulsion as a vital solution for maximizing both environmental and commercial benefits, but also underscores the confidence industry leaders have in our proven technology,” he explains.

“It’s exciting to secure our first contract in Singapore, particularly with EPS, a company known for both its business success and its environmental commitment. We see the company as a role model for shipping in that respect. As such this is a milestone development, one that we hope will pave the way for future installations across EPS’ fleet, further solidifying our presence in the region.”

Sustainable Commitment

Working in tandem with existing propulsion systems on the Pacific Sentinel, the three eSAILs® will use an autonomous control system to optimize power and reduce engine load and fuel consumption, with no need for crew input and low maintenance requirements. It is a simple, mechanically robust solution, making it an ideal fit for the needs of the Singapore-headquartered shipping giant, with an extensive fleet comprising over 250 vessels and a combined DWT of 25 million.

“EPS is committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across our fleet,” comments Cyril Ducau, Chief Executive Officer at EPS. “Over the past six years, our investments in projects including dual fuel vessels, carbon capture, biofuels, voyage optimisation technology and more have allowed us to reduce our emissions intensity by 30% and achieve an Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) of 3.6 CO2g/dwt-mile in 2023, outperforming our emission intensity targets ahead of schedule. The addition of the bound4blue groundbreaking wind assisted propulsion will enhance our efforts on this path to decarbonise.”

“With this project, we are confident that the emission reductions gained through eSAILs® on Pacific Sentinel will help us better evaluate the GHG reduction potential of wind assisted propulsion on our fleet in the long run.”

Regulatory Results

Pacific Sentinel will achieve a ‘wind assisted’ notation from class society ABS once the eSAILs® are installed. The technology will help ships to comply with existing and upcoming regulations like improving EEDI and EEXI, enhancing its CII rating, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “Wind-assisted propulsion is an energy efficiency technology with a significant role to play in helping the global fleet swiftly improve its carbon intensity. As we wait for global alternative fuel infrastructure to mature, utilizing a readily available and truly zero emission solution such as the wind, is a smart move. ABS is proud to support early adopters of this technology such as EPS, who are blazing a trail with this technology for the rest of the industry to follow.”

 

About Eastern Pacific Shipping

With a history spanning 60 years, Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (“EPS”) is a leading shipping company that is committed to the green and technology-driven growth of the industry. Headquartered in Singapore for the past 30 years, EPS is driven by its mission to be the safe and efficient transportation provider of choice to the shipping industry. Empowering that mission is a 6,000 strong and growing workforce across sea and shore. They oversee a versatile fleet of over 250 vessels and 25 million deadweight-tonnes across three core segments of containership, dry bulk, and tanker vessels. EPS’ shore team is fully integrated with in-house commercial, finance, innovation, IT, legal, manning, operations, and technical departments.

For more information, please contact EPS Corporate Communications at corpcomms@epshipping.com.sg

 

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. bound4blue’s suction sails are offered in three sizes, ranging from 12m to 36m in height, all with optional tilting systems to ensure overhead clearance under port operations if needed. 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 three ships and has signed additional agreements with other shipowners like Marubeni Corporation, Odfjell, SNA TUHA’A PAE, and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to install the system on their fleets.

For more information, visit: www.bound4blue.com

This project is co-funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101103465 from Innovation Fund programme.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.