Eems Traveller will be unveiled at Port of Hamburg on the 3rd and 4th of September, showcasing bound4blue and Amasus’s eSAIL
Bound4blue and Amasus will unveil its new eSAIL at SMM in Überseebrücke pock, Hamburg, on the 3rd and 4th of September. The vessel has a Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS), which will be the first time a major maritime event will host a vessel with a WAPS.
Standing at 17 meters high, the eSAIL shows the rest of the industry how costs can be cut whilst also reducing emissions, allowing vessels to comply with regulations more efficiently, especially as these are becoming stricter.
The sail went through two installation stages. First, the sail foundation was fitted during a scheduled stop in the Netherlands, where a five-year lease was given. Then, the eSAIL was fitted in under four hours at the Port of Bilbao.
eSAILs are suitable for both new builds and retrofitting across the huge majority of vessel segments. These include applications such as tankers, bulkers, ro-ros, cruisers, ferries, gas carriers and general cargo vessels.
Clean benefits
The eSAIL autonomously drags air across an aerodynamic surface to generate exceptional propulsion, with no input from the crew required. This requires no training, and reduces fuel consumption, OPEX and emissions to air.
Operational test data from onboard the Eems Traveller will be shared with visitors to the SMM, as well as the chance to learn about the technology up close.
Timing
David Ferrer, co-founder and CTO, bound4blue said: “Eems Traveller is a landmark vessel. The twin sails installed in July 2023 were, at the time, the largest ever suction sails seen in maritime. Operations to date have delivered a wealth of in-depth data to demonstrate their tangible environmental impact. We look forward to sharing our findings at SMM. In addition to our own testing and validation, Lloyd’s Register has now also been tasked with conducting a third-party evaluation to verify achieved performance and savings.”
The vessel will be used at press conferences, visits and general engagement with shipowners and other decision-makers by bound4blue and Amasus during its two-day trip. Crew and technology suppliers will be on hand to answer questions about the eSAIL.
Ferrer added: “We’re indebted to Amasus, and the sustainability focus of Port of Hamburg, for the opportunity to showcase the power of wind with more than just words – giving the industry a chance to experience the technology and learn about its transformative effect. Given the impact of regulations such as EU ETS, CII and the upcoming FuelEU Maritime move, I can’t think of a better time to push wind power up the shipping agenda.”
Looking to the future
In a statement, Amasus said: “The industry is continually discussing which pathway offers the best route to decarbonisation. Here at Amasus we believe there is no one course, but rather a range of routes to travel upon, combining breakthrough and emerging technologies to make positive impacts today.”
Amasus added: “In this regard, we see wind as a key enabler for a greener shipping future. Eems Traveller is a manifestation of that belief, showing how owners can partner with trusted suppliers to deliver meaningful gains – and not just from environmental and regulatory perspectives, but also commercially. We look forward to joining with bound4blue to share those insights at SMM.”
