bound4blue and Amasus Shipping have completed the installation of a 22-metre eSAIL® on the general cargo vessel Fluvius Tavy. The work took place at Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain. It marks the second time Amasus has adopted bound4blue’s wind propulsion technology.
The new unit is the largest suction sail ever installed on a general cargo vessel. It follows the earlier installation on Eems Traveller, where two 17-metre eSAILs® were fitted. That project demonstrated the technology’s operational and environmental benefits and built confidence for further deployment.
bound4blue’s eSAIL® technology holds DNV Type Approval. Other shipowners, including Odfjell, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs and Eastern Pacific Shipping, have already retrofitted the system. Independent verification has confirmed fuel and emissions savings in operation.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue, said the project shows that wind propulsion is becoming a practical and proven solution for shipping. He noted that the Fluvius Tavy installation highlights both the scalability of suction sails and the trust Amasus places in the technology. The company expects double-digit reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
The retrofit took place during a scheduled maintenance stop. The yard completed all structural and electrical deck modifications before lifting the fully pre-commissioned sail into position. The unit was manufactured in Spain by Haizea-Tecnoaranda and installed using a plug-and-play process.
Amasus said the decision to install a second eSAIL® reflects its satisfaction with performance and ease of integration. The company highlighted the suitability of the system for short-sea general cargo vessels and thanked bound4blue and Astander for a smooth installation.
The autonomous eSAIL® generates lift by drawing air across an optimised aerodynamic surface. It can produce up to seven times more lift than a conventional rigid sail of similar size. The system adapts to different vessel types, including tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, cruise ships, ferries and gas carriers.
