Eastern Pacific Shipping to install autonomous eSails

Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has partnered with bound4blue to install three 22m autonomous eSails on board the Pacific Sentinel.

The ‘suction sail’ technology, which drags air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsive efficiency, will be fitted later in 2024 and will be EPS’s first-ever wind-assisted propulsion system. It will help the 183m, 50,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) oil and chemical tanker reduce overall energy consumption by approximately 10%, depending on vessel routing.

Working in tandem with existing propulsion systems on the Pacific Sentinel, the three eSails will use an autonomous control system to optimize power and reduce engine load and fuel consumption, with no need for crew input and low maintenance requirements. According to the partners, it is a simple, mechanically robust solution, making it an ideal fit for the needs of the shipping company that has a fleet of more than 250 vessels and a combined DWT of 25 million.

The partners state that the Pacific Sentinel will achieve a ‘wind assisted’ notation from class society ABS once the eSails are installed. The technology will help ships comply with existing and upcoming regulations like improving EEDI and EEXI, enhancing its CII rating, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

Christopher J Wiernicki, chairman and CEO of ABS, said, “Wind-assisted propulsion is an energy efficiency technology with a significant role to play in helping the global fleet swiftly improve its carbon intensity. As we wait for global alternative fuel infrastructure to mature, utilizing a readily available and truly zero-emission solution such as the wind, is a smart move. ABS is proud to support early adopters of this technology such as EPS, who are blazing a trail with this technology for the rest of the industry to follow.”

José Miguel Bermudez, CEO and co-founder at bound4blue, commented, “Signing an agreement with an industry player of the scale and reputation of EPS not only highlights the growing recognition of wind-assisted propulsion as a vital solution for maximizing both environmental and commercial benefits but also underscores the confidence industry leaders have in our proven technology.”

“It’s exciting to secure our first contract in Singapore, particularly with EPS, a company known for both its business success and its environmental commitment. We see the company as a role model for shipping in that respect. As such this is a milestone development, one that we hope will pave the way for future installations across EPS’s fleet, further solidifying our presence in the region.”

“EPS is committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across our fleet,” commented Cyril Ducau, CEO of EPS. “Over the past six years, our investments in projects including dual fuel vessels, carbon capture, biofuels, voyage optimization technology and more have allowed us to reduce our emissions intensity by 30% and achieve an Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) of 3.6 CO₂g/DWT-mile in 2023, outperforming our emission intensity targets ahead of schedule.

“The addition of the bound4blue ground-breaking wind-assisted propulsion will enhance our efforts on this path to decarbonize. With this project, we are confident that the emission reductions gained through eSails on Pacific Sentinel will help us better evaluate the GHG reduction potential of wind-assisted propulsion on our fleet in the long run.”

Read more of the latest power and propulsion updates from the electric and hybrid marine technology, here.