Japanese conglomerate Marubeni and Spanish engineering firm bound4blue have formed a strategic partnership to promote and sell the eSAIL wind propulsion system.
Through the partnership agreement, Marubeni will promote retail activities for eSAILs and act as the exclusive business partner of bound4blue in the Japanese market.
In recent years, the trend towards decarbonization has been gathering momentum in various industries and the shipping industry is no exception. Using wind power to generate propellant thrust is seen by many as a next-gen tool for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry.
The eSAIL system is categorized as a suction sail and creates propulsion like the way aeroplane wings create lifting power. The sucking of air into the eSAIL also smooths the flow of wind around its body, with the result that propulsive force can be generated more efficiently.
The two are already cooperating on applying the technology to one of Marubeni’s vessels. Marubeni’s Singapore subsidiary MMSL contracted bound4blue in November 2022 to retrofit the 2016-built Crimson Kingdom with what is expected to be the largest suction sail setup ever and the first panamax bulker using this technology. The project is still underway.
with what is expected to be the largest suction sail setup ever and the first panamax bulker using this technology. The project is still underway.“By actively participating in the construction of environmentally beneficial supply chains, Marubeni aims to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices across industries,” Yasutomo Miyake, general manager of Marubeni’s ship project department, said.
