A subsidiary of Klaveness Combination Carriers will install two Bound4blue eSAILs on the third of its CABU III newbuildings for delivery in Q3 2026. It will be one of the first tanker/dry bulk vessels to feature Bound4blue’s suction sails, while the two installed 24-metre units will also rank as the largest so far.
The CABU III vessels are being built at Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding and Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding.
Klaveness Combination Carriers‘ (KCC’s) decision to install Bound4blue‘s solution resulted from a comprehensive study of alternative sail technologies, where eSAILs were identified as the most efficient choice for the evaluated vessels and trade routes. The suction sails are an innovative solution taking advantage of the available wind at sea to generate clean forward thrust for the vessel, effectively reducing fuel consumption and emission from the vessels’ main engine.
Also read: First installation of Bound4blue’s eSAILs on roro vessel
Fitted at the bow
The two eSAILs will be fitted at the bow of the vessel to enable efficient port operations. The DNV Type Approved solution works by utilising a fan system to drag air across the sail’s aerodynamically optimised surface, generating propulsive efficiency.
eSAILs are available in three model sizes, starting from 12 metres and ranging up to 36 metres in height. KCC will be the first shipowner to install the largest unit, the model 3.
USD 32 million in energy efficiency measures
The installation of eSAILs is a part of KCC’s environmental ambition to cut the carbon intensity of its fleet by more than 45 per cent compared to 2018 by the end of this decade. The company’s strategy is to build on its market leading trading efficiency of its combination carriers, having a thirty to forty per cent lower carbon footprint than competing standard vessels, by investing in innovative energy efficiency and operational efficiency measures.
KCC has to date committed USD 32 million in fifteen different energy efficiency measures, which in total are expected to cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by fifteen per cent on its modern fleet built after 2015.
‘We, at KCC, are excited to partner up with Bound4blue on its journey of exploring and utilizing innovative wind assisted propulsion solutions on our fleet,’ says CEO of Klaveness Combination Carriers, Engebret Dahm. ‘This technology has large potential for reducing carbon emissions and is expected to become an important lever for the industry to reach its decarbonization targets.’
Also read: Louis Dreyfus contracts Bound4blue for eSAILs on juice vessel
First newbuild project in China
David Ferrer, co-founder and CTO, Bound4blue, comments: ‘This is a landmark contract for us in many respects, becoming not only the largest eSAIL the world has seen, but also our first newbuild project in China. It will give KCC a proven, autonomous, and operationally efficient solution.’
Picture: Klaveness Combination Carriers makes first move into wind with Bound4blue eSAIL system on CABU III newbuild (by Bound4blue/KCC).
Also read: Bound4blue to install three suction sails on RoRo vessel
