Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has signed a contract for its first ever wind-assisted propulsion system, partnering with bound4blue to install three 22-metre eSAILs onboard the Pacific Sentinel.
The ‘suction sail’ technology, which drags air across an aerodynamic surface to create propulsive efficiency, will be fitted later this year, helping the 50,000 DWT oil and chemical tanker to reduce overall energy consumption.
Working in tandem with existing propulsion systems, the three eSAILs will use an autonomous control system to optimise power and reduce engine load and fuel consumption, without any need for crew input.
“EPS is committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across our fleet,” said Cyril Ducau, Chief Executive Officer at EPS.
“Over the past six years, our investments in projects including dual fuel vessels, carbon capture, biofuels, voyage optimisation technology and more have allowed us to reduce our emissions intensity by 30% and achieve an Annual Efficiency Ratio (AER) of 3.6 /DWT-mile in 2023, outperforming our emission intensity targets ahead of schedule.”
“The addition of the bound4blue groundbreaking wind assisted propulsion will enhance our efforts on this path to decarbonise. 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.”
Pacific Sentinel will achieve a ‘wind assisted’ notation from class society ABS once the eSAILs are installed.
