Eastern Pacific orders second b4b sail installation
EPS has signed its second contract with bound4blue as it continues on its decarbonisation voyage - digitally rendered image of eSAILs® on MR newbuild
(Source: bound4blue)
Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) is to install three 22m-high bound4blue eSAILs® on a medium range tanker currently under construction at New Times Shipbuilding in China. The latest order follows a retrofit installation last February when three of the Spanish company’s eSAILs were placed on the 50,000dwt chemical/products tanker, Pacific Sentinel.
The wind sail company’s technology is based on the principle of suction sails: air is dragged across an aerodynamic surface to generate forward thrust. Wind propulsion saves fuel and money, cuts emissions, and aids tightening regulatory compliance.
The EPS fleet of 300-plus vessels consists of tankers, bulk carriers, gas ships, car carriers and container ships. In addition to wind power, the company is deploying a range of energy-saving technologies on board its vessels including dual-fuel engines, biofuels, carbon capture technologies, and voyage optimisation.
Decarbonisation Manager, Mirtcho Spassov, commented: “We’re excited to be working alongside bound4blue and New Times Shipbuilding to install our first wind-assisted propulsion system on a newbuild vessel. This project represents a significant milestone in our decarbonisation journey and lays the foundation for wider adoption of wind assisted propulsion system technology across our fleet.”
Speaking for bound4blue, Daniel Mann, CCO, said: “We’re thrilled to be collaborating once again with EPS, one of the leaders at the forefront of the shipping industry’s green transformation. Their adoption of our eSAIL® technology not only reflects their commitment to greener shipping but also paves the way for broader industry adoption of Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems. These systems offer a proven, mechanically simple solution to reduce emissions, cut costs, and meet regulatory requirements such as FuelEU Maritime, CII, and EU ETS.”
The Spanish company has seen its order book grow quickly this year – from four contracts in January to 14 projects today.
