Spanish shipping company Marflet Marine has ordered a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) retrofit for one of its commercial vessels.

IMAGE: Rigid suction sail installed on Marflet Marine's chemical tanker Santiago I. Bound4Blue

Spanish wind-assisted propulsion technology firm Bound4Blue has installed four 22-metre-high rigid suction sails on Marflet Marine’s 50,000-dwt chemical tanker Santiago I, the company said.

The installation was completed at EDR Antwerp Shipyard in Belgium.

Interest in WAPSs like suction sails continue to grow as shipowners look to improve efficiency and cut emissions. These systems actively harness wind power to generate forward thrust, reducing fuel consumption.

Bound4Blue’s system uses rigid, wing-shaped sails with suction technology to control airflow around their surface and generate additional thrust from the wind, reducing the vessel’s engine use and fuel consumption.

“Santiago I is expected to reduce annual energy consumption by approximately 10-15%, depending on trading patterns and weather conditions,” Bound4Blue claimed.

WAPS can help shipping companies lower exposure to fuel price fluctuations and comply with emissions regulations such as FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS by reducing fuel consumption, the company said.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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