Wind sails to be installed on short-sea general cargo vessel
Dutch shipowner, Amasus Shipping, has signed a contract with Cantabria-based wind power company, bound4blue, to install two 17m-high eSAILs® on its 2,850dwt general cargo vessel, Eems Traveller. The Netherlands owner operates a fleet of more than 70 vessels employed on short-sea voyages and a transporting a wide range of cargoes including heavy lift, RoRo, project and offshore consignments.
The suction sails are likely to reduce fuel costs and emissions on board the Eems Traveller by up to 30% on favourable routes, the companies claimed. The sails will also improve both the ship’s energy efficiency index and its carbon intensity indicator rating.
The wind power company, which also has offices in Barcelona and Singapore, installed eSAIL systems on two vessels in 2021 and has deals in hand with other shipowners to fit more systems this year and next.
José Miguel Bermúdez, bound4blue CEO, commented: “Our eSAIL is a commercially available, proven and reliable technology that turns wind into profit while reducing the carbon footprint of ships. Collaborating with Amasus Shipping team in this multiple sail installation is an opportunity to show again that general cargo ships, which account for roughly 27% of the world merchant fleet, can benefit from our wind propulsion system.”