Klaveness Combination Carriers makes first move into wind with bound4blue sail system on newbuild
Published by Alfred Hamer,
Editorial Assistant
Dry Bulk,
A subsidiary of Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA has entered into an agreement with the builder of the CABU III newbuildings, Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, to install its first ever Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS) with two bound4blue eSAILs® suction sails on the third CABU III newbuilding for delivery in 3Q26. The newbuild will be one of the first tanker/dry bulk vessels to feature bound4blue’s WAPS technology, while the two installed units will also rank as the largest ever suction sails, standing at 24 m in height.
KCC’s decision to install bound4blue's solution resulted from a study of alternative sail technologies, where eSAILs were identified as the most efficient choice for the evaluated vessels and trade routes. bound4blue’s eSAILs, known as a suction sail, is a solution taking advantage of the available wind at sea to generate clean forward thrust for the vessel, reducing fuel consumption and emissions from the vessels’ main engine.
The two eSAILs will be fitted at the bow of the vessel to enable efficient port operations. The DNV Type Approved solution works by utilising a fan system to drag air across the sail’s aerodynamically optimised surface, generating propulsive efficiency. eSAILs are available in three model sizes, starting from 12 m and ranging up to 36 m in height. KCC will be the first shipowner to install the largest unit, the model 3.
CEO of Klaveness Combination Carriers, Engebret Dahm says, “We, at KCC, are excited to partner up with bound4blue on its journey of exploring and utilising innovative wind assisted propulsion solutions on our fleet. This technology has large potential for reducing carbon emissions and is expected to become an important lever for the industry to reach its decarbonisation targets.”
David Ferrer, co-founder and CTO, bound4blue, comments: “We’re thrilled to sign this new agreement with a shipowner of the standing of KCC. This is a landmark contract for us in many respects, becoming not only the largest eSAIL the world has seen, but also our first newbuild project in China. It will give KCC a proven, autonomous, and operationally efficient solution. We look forward to partnering with the KCC team as they help lead the ‘wind revolution’ in this key shipping segment.”
Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/environment-sustainability/30102024/klaveness-combination-carriers-makes-first-move-into-wind-with-bound4blue-sail-system-on-newbuild/
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