World’s largest’ suction sail fitted to cargo ship in Spain, offers 7x more lifting force
A Spanish sailmaker has just completed the installation of the largest suction sail ever fitted to a working cargo vessel as part of a wider push to cut fuel use and emissions in commercial shipping. Installed at the Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain, the 72.2-foot (22-meter) eSAIL wind propulsion system was mounted on the Fluvius Tavy, a general cargo ship operated by Dutch maritime service provider Amasus Shipping.
Developed by bound4blue, a renewable maritime technologies company based in Spain’s autonomous region of Cantabria, the autonomous sail represents the second installation completed for the shipowner.
The installation underscored both the scalability of suction sails and the rising trust in wind power among shipowners. “We’re delighted to help forward-thinking owners and partners, like Amasus, turn their sustainability ambitions into profitable results,” Miguel Bermúdez, bound4blue CEO and Co-founder, said.
Wind-assisted ships
The project followed an earlier installation on Amasus’ Eems Traveller, which was the first general cargo vessel to operate with suction sails, after being equipped with two 55.8-foot (17-meter) eSAIL units.
Ever since, the DNV Type Approved system has been installed on vessels operated by owners such as Odfjell, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs and Eastern Pacific Shipping. The fuel and emissions savings have been proven and independently validated.
“Our collaboration with Amasus continues to demonstrate that wind propulsion is gaining broader acceptance as a practical, profitable, and, crucially a proven solution for an industry in transition,” Bermúdez commented.
The system uses aerodynamic suction to generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails. It works by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimized surface. The technology operates autonomously and adjusts to wind conditions without crew input.
“This installation is particularly noteworthy as it is the largest suction sail ever fitted to a general cargo vessel and, following a previous installation on the Eems Traveller, a very clear endorsement of the value Amasus sees in our technology,” Bermúdez noted.
Bermúdez highlighted that the new installation is forecasted to deliver significant double-digit reductions in vessel fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Cleaner shipping
The retrofit was completed in a single visit to Astander, with all preparatory and installation work carried out within the vessel’s scheduled maintenance period.
Structural reinforcements and electrical adaptations were made to the deck to accommodate the sail’s foundation, after which the fully pre-commissioned unit was lifted into place in a streamlined, plug-and-play process.
“The decision to install a second eSAIL reflects how satisfied we are with the performance and how smoothly it has integrated into our day-to-day operations,” Amasus emphasized.
The sail was manufactured in Spain by Haizea-Tecnoaranda, a major manufacturer of large-diameter onshore and offshore wind towers, highlighting the country’s expanding role in advanced maritime engineering.
“We’re happy to continue working with bound4blue and would like to thank their team, as well as the yard, for another seamless and efficient Amasus installation,” the firm continued.
The company said its experience with bound4blue’s suction sails showed they are well-suited to short-sea general cargo vessels. “We’re now looking forward to seeing the fuel and emissions savings this new installation will deliver,” Amasus concluded in a press release.