bound4blue completes eSAIL® installation on Klaveness Combination Carriers’ CABU III newbuild

• Two 24-metre eSAILs® successfully fitted on MV Baltazar at New Yangzi Shipbuilding
• Marks the first installation of locally manufactured suction sails in China for bound4blue and among the first tanker/dry bulk vessels to harness suction sail technology 

BARCELONA, 22 APRIL 2026 – bound4blue today announces completion of the installation of two 24-metre eSAILs® onboard the Klaveness Combination Carriers (KCC) newbuild MV Baltazar. bound4blue’s unique suction sails, capable of delivering double digit fuel savings and compelling regulatory gains, were fitted onboard the latest of KCC’s CABU III projects at New Yangzi Shipbuilding in China. MV Baltazar is expected to commence operations in Q3 2026. 

The installation is a significant milestone for bound4blue, marking its first project featuring suction sails manufactured locally in China, and among the earliest adoptions of advanced wind propulsion technology on a combination carrier. 

Optimising impact 

“This is a landmark project in many respects,” comments José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue. “It demonstrates how already efficient vessel designs can be optimised even further with free, accessible and readily available wind power, delivering environmental, commercial and regulatory advantages.  

“As a company we are scaling up capabilities, in China and beyond, to help forward-thinking operators like KCC embrace wind simply, efficiently and with maximum benefits. We’d like to thank both them and New Yangzi Shipbuilding for their strong collaboration in what we see as an exciting development for the combination carrier segment.”

Expanding footprint 

The KCC project follows a series of high-profile eSAIL® contracts and installations with shipowners such as Louis Dreyfus Company, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and BW Epic Kosan. It demonstrates bound4blue’s increasing global footprint, particularly in China where the business recently entered a number of strategic partnerships to build up production, logistics and service capacity. 

The autonomous units work by using an internal fan system to accelerate airflow over an aerodynamically designed surface, generating forward thrust up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size. That clean power eases engine loads, cuts fuel consumption, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while delivering ongoing benefits for compliance with regulatory frameworks such as FuelEU Maritime, via the Wind Reward Factor, EEDI/EEXI, CII and EU ETS. 

“We believe projects of this nature, with customers of the standing of KCC, clearly illustrate our ability to deliver reliable, market proven wind power technology at scale,” Bermúdez adds. “Adoption and acceptance of wind as a viable, commercial and regulatory beneficial power source is accelerating and we’re committed to helping the industry take full advantage, as simply and cost effectively as possible.” 

bound4blue 

For media queries contact: T. +34 938 33 73 92 | press@bound4blue.com

About bound4blue 

bound4blue develops automated wind propulsion systems as a turnkey solution for all shipowners and shipping companies seeking to reduce fuel costs and polluting emissions. bound4blue’s eSAIL® system is a validated solution for saving fuel and emissions, completely autonomous, with low maintenance and easy installation onboard, being the most cost-efficient wind propulsion technology today. It is suitable for Tankers, Bulkers, Ro-Ros, Cruise vessels, Ferries, Gas Carriers, and General Cargo vessels, regardless of their size or age. The company, founded in 2014 with a vocation clearly focused on the renewable energy sector in the maritime field, has its headquarters in Cantabria (Spain) and offices in Barcelona and Singapore. Since completing its first installation in 2021, the company has deployed its eSAIL® system on ten ships, with eight more in its order book, representing more than 50 eSAILs®. Its growing client portfolio includes industry leaders such as Eastern Pacific Shipping, Maersk Tankers, Odfjell, Klaveness Combination Carriers, BW Epic Kosan and Louis Dreyfus Company, among others.

For more information, visit: www.bound4blue.com