Eastern Pacific Shipping completes second bound4blue eSAIL® installation with first newbuild deployment

• Three 22-metre eSAIL® non-ATEX units installed on newbuild Pacific Sunstone at New Times Shipbuilding, Jiangsu Province, China.
• First newbuild installation of eSAIL® for Eastern Pacific Shipping following the retrofit on Pacific Sentinel.
• Installation integrated within the vessel’s construction schedule, ensuring safe, simple and efficient delivery.

Singapore, 19 March 2026 – bound4blue and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) have completed the second installation of eSAILs® in EPS’ fleet, fitting three 22-metre-high units on MR tanker Pacific Sunstone at New Times Shipbuilding in Jiangsu Province, China. The project marks EPS’ first newbuild installation following a successful retrofit project on Pacific Sentinel.

Simplifying complexity

eSAILs® have surged in popularity within the tanker segment due to their simplicity, easing adoption for vessels with complex, ATEX-regulated environments. With smaller footprints than other solutions – eSAILs® generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails of the same size – there’s no need for tilting systems and no impact on a vessel’s operational airdraft. The units are also non-ATEX, helping optimise costs.

José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and Co-founder of bound4blue, describes it as “a winning combination” for a crucial segment.

He comments: “Tankers are integral to world trade, but, due to their complexity, can pose headaches in terms of decarbonisation. At bound4blue we’re committed to helping owners voyage towards sustainability, with mechanically simple, easy to install solutions that deliver both double digit fuel, and emissions, savings and easier regulatory compliance.”

Bermúdez continues: “A newbuild such as this is an exciting project, as it allows the vessel to set sail with the benefits of wind power woven into the ship’s DNA from day one. We’d like to thank EPS, and the yard, for their excellent cooperation in a fast, efficient and seamless process.”

Proven performance

Pacific Sunstone’s installation process was tailored to enable straightforward integration without major structural modification, or delays. The project also builds on the proven results from the Pacific Sentinel, where a six-month study by EPS and the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation confirmed average 8% net power reduction, 5.5% net fuel savings, and peaks above 20% in favourable wind conditions. Notably, these results were achieved despite predominantly unfavourable winds, underscoring the robustness of the eSAIL® system and its potential for even greater savings on more favourable routes.

The installation also highlights how wind-assisted propulsion systems can be integrated effectively across both retrofit and newbuild programmes.

All eSAIL® foundations and electrical connections were incorporated into the newbuilding programme, before the sails – manufactured in Spain – were shipped to China for a streamlined ‘plug and play’ connection process.

Now operational, the three units will provide reliable power to reduce main engine loads, saving OPEX (typical payback on eSAIL® installations is less than five years) and empowering regulatory compliance, with benefits across a broad range of frameworks such as CII, EU ETS, EEDI/EEXI and FuelEU Maritime, via the Wind Reward Factor.

Speaking about the installation, Mirtcho Spassov, Decarbonisation Manager of EPS said, “At EPS, we continue to explore and deploy new technologies that support the decarbonisation of our fleet. Our experience with Pacific Sentinel demonstrated the operational performance and practicality of the eSAIL® system, making the integration of the technology from the outset on Pacific Sunstone a natural step. Working closely with bound4blue and New Times Shipbuilding, the system was incorporated seamlessly into this newbuild’s schedule, enabling efficient delivery while strengthening the vessel’s operational efficiency.”

Scaling success

The Pacific Sunstone installation reinforces the scalability and flexibility of suction sails – which work by drawing air across an aerodynamically optimised surface to generate exceptional lift – for both retrofit and newbuild projects. The technology is suited to a wide range of segments, including, but not limited to, tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, cruise vessels, ferries and gas carriers.

bound4blue’s DNV type approved technology is now the preferred choice of a range of leading global shipowners, including Odfjell, Maersk Tankers, Klaveness Combination Carriers and BW Epic Kosan, amongst others.

END OF ANNOUNCEMENT

 

About Eastern Pacific Shipping

With a history spanning 60 years, Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. (“EPS”) is a leading shipping company that is committed to the green and technology-driven growth of the industry. Headquartered in Singapore for the past 30 years, EPS is driven by its mission to be the safe and efficient transportation provider of choice to the shipping industry. Empowering that mission is a 7,000 strong and growing workforce across sea and shore. They oversee a versatile fleet of over 350 vessels and 35 million deadweight-tonnes across core segments of containership, PCTC, dry bulk, gas and tanker vessels. Following the completion of its merger with CoolCo, EPS has further strengthened its gas shipping platform. EPS’ shore team is fully integrated with in-house commercial, finance, innovation, IT, legal, manning, operations, and technical departments.

For more information, please contact EPS Corporate Communications at corpcomms@epshipping.com.sg

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 seven ships, with 12 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