eSAIL®: Pioneering Green Maritime with Wind-Assisted Propulsion

The journey of air-assisted propulsion has spanned many decades, and today’s eSAIL® has a rich history, tracing its roots back to the 1930s when the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ventured into this innovative concept.

The very concept of a quality exploration vessel sparked the birth of the first suction sail. Oceanking’s partner, bound4blue, embraced this concept, leading to the development of the eSAIL® that we know today.

Unlike conventional airplane suction wings, eSAIL® leverages a thicker aerodynamic profile and utilizes suction to generate substantial lift forces, yielding seven times more lift than an airplane wing. This approach blends the simplicity and exceptional upwind performance of rigid-wing sails with active boundary layer control techniques based on suction. This boundary layer control optimizes airflow, achieving high lift coefficients, similar to rotors, resulting in smaller, lighter sails that deliver equivalent savings while avoiding the drawbacks associated with traditional rigid-wing or rotor sails.

The transition from concept to reality demands expertise in various disciplines, from aeronautics and naval engineering to shipbuilding and port operations.

To achieve these goals, a holistic approach is essential, considering not just offshore wind performance but also vital factors like ship operations. bound4blue’s eSAIL® delivers tailor-made sailing plans for individual vessels, reducing payback periods and making wind-assisted sailing an attractive and sustainable option for the maritime industry. It is suitable for Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruises, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels, regardless of their size or age. The history and ingenuity behind eSAIL® exemplify its potential as a groundbreaking solution for more eco-friendly and efficient maritime transportation.

Here are the compelling benefits of Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) for cutting fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in merchant vessels:

• Traditional merchant vessels rely on main engines, leading to high fuel costs and emissions.
• WAPS harness wind for clean thrust, reducing engine usage, and minimizing fuel consumption and emissions.
• Effective WAPS utilization can result in double-digit percentage savings in fuel and emissions.
• eSAIL® is a WAPS that incorporates active boundary layer control through suction, reducing drag in the wind and generating substantial lift when suction is activated.
• eSAIL® offers significant fuel savings with minimal power consumption and no mechanical complexity.
• Installing eSAIL® on vessels maximizes fuel savings cost-effectively.

Why choose eSAIL®:

• Harness wind as a free, abundant, and infinite energy source, reducing fuel costs significantly.
• Achieve regulatory compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) and European Union regulations targeting greenhouse gas emission reduction and energy efficiency enhancement in vessels.
• eSAIL® offers a practical solution for both new and existing vessels to efficiently reduce fuel costs and meet regulatory requirements.

Practical Financial Examples:

bound4blue has conducted a comprehensive analysis to showcase the substantial fuel reduction and emissions mitigation benefits achievable through Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) for two vessel categories: MR TANKER and RO-RO.

• A MR TANKER (183m, 40,000 DWT, 14 kn service speed) could save 843 tons annually (equivalent to $590,100), reducing CO2 emissions by 2,671 tons yearly, resulting in a 15.3% decrease in fuel and emissions.
• A RO-RO (200m, 18,000 DWT, 16 kn service speed) could save 1,005 tons each year (approximately $703,500), reduce CO2 emissions by 3,187 tons annually, and achieve a 14.45% decrease in fuel and emissions.

bound4blue has already installed its eSAIL® system on three ships and secured agreements with esteemed shipowners like Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, Marubeni Corporation, and Odfjell to equip their fleets with this groundbreaking technology.

For more information on eSAIL®, please feel free to reach out to Miltos Messinezis at Oceanking.