Lloyd’s Register has signed a memorandum of understanding with K Shipbuilding, bound4blue and Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry to develop a wind-assisted 50,000 dwt MR tanker design.
The agreement was signed during Posidonia 2026 in Athens.
The project focuses on developing and optimizing a medium-range tanker equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS).
The design will integrate bound4blue’s eSAIL® technology, which uses suction sail principles to generate additional thrust from wind energy while improving fuel efficiency and lowering emissions.
The partners will conduct technical and regulatory evaluations against classification requirements and IMO regulations.
Lloyd’s Register will provide technical assurance, design appraisal and support toward Approval in Principle (AiP) while coordinating regulatory alignment with the Liberian Registry.
“This agreement reflects LR’s continued focus on enabling maritime decarbonisation through practical, scalable solutions,” said Alberto Pérez, Head of Maritime Commercial Markets at Lloyd’s Register.
He added that supporting next-generation tanker designs helps shipowners transition toward lower-carbon operations while maintaining commercial viability.
“As demand for sustainable shipping solutions continues to grow, this MoU will further strengthen our capabilities in eco-friendly ship technology development,” noted Tae-Hyun Koh, Chief Technology Officer at K Shipbuilding.
Daniel Mann, Chief Commercial Officer at bound4blue, explained that wind propulsion is becoming increasingly important for future-ready vessel designs, especially in tanker segments.
He said the partnership will help define how eSAIL® technology can be integrated into MR tanker newbuildings in a practical and commercially competitive way.
Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President at the Liberian Registry, stressed that integrating wind-assisted propulsion into MR tankers can deliver immediate fuel savings while supporting long-term regulatory compliance.
The companies said the project aims to reduce uncertainty around wind-assisted propulsion adoption by validating performance, safety and compliance requirements early in the design stage.
