BW Epic Kosan, global leader in the transportation of LPG, petrochemical products and special gases, has signed an agreement with bound4blue for the installation of a 24-meter-high eSAIL suction sail on the HELENA KOSAN, built in 2007. The autonomous wind propulsion system, which will be installed in 2026, will allow BWEK to save fuel, reduce emissions, lower costs and simplify regulatory compliance, while the Singapore-based company invests to support the decarbonization objectives of the sector.
“The tanker and LPG vessel segment is a key growth area for bound4blue, so it is fantastic to close a contract with the global leader in the last-mile delivery of LPG, petrochemical products and other special gases,” commented José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue. The eSAIL, with type approval from DNV, works by propelling air across an aerodynamic surface to generate lift up to seven times greater than rigid sails of the same size, thus providing more power with a lower deck footprint.
“We are committed to investing in proven technologies that support and enable our goal of reducing the environmental footprint of our operations,” explained Jakob Bode, CEO of BWEK. The installation will be carried out in a simple two-step process: first, with preparatory work during a scheduled dry docking in 2025, and then, with the “plug and play” installation of the unit the following year.
