bound4blue’s eSAIL® System Proves Fuel Efficiency on Ville de Bordeaux — 568 Tonnes Saved Annually
Spanish company bound4blue has announced that its innovative wind-assisted propulsion system eSAIL® has delivered significant fuel savings on the Ville de Bordeaux, a ro-ro vessel operated by Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA). The results come from an independent performance evaluation conducted by Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS).
The vessel, which transports Airbus components between Europe and the United States, achieved an average daily fuel saving of 1.7 metric tonnes over 12 months following the 2024 installation of three 22-meter eSAIL® units. Over the same period, the vessel reduced fuel consumption by 568 metric tonnes and cut 2,181 tonnes of CO₂ emissions (Well-to-Wake). Peak daily savings reached 5.4 metric tonnes.
This installation marked bound4blue’s first deployment on a ro-ro vessel and the company’s third commercial project overall. “We’re thrilled that this hard-working vessel is delivering such consistent daily savings, with peak figures that highlight the vast potential of this technology,” said David Ferrer, CTO at bound4blue. “These results demonstrate how existing ships—not just new, energy-efficient designs—can benefit from this clean, renewable, and accessible source of propulsion.”
LDA emphasized not only the scale of fuel savings but also the improved vessel performance and ease of operation. Notably, the reported results did not account for favorable weather conditions or regulatory credits, making the savings even more impressive.
The eSAIL® technology uses a vertical sail-like surface with an active air suction system, generating up to seven times more lift than traditional rigid sails. By enhancing airflow adhesion to the sail surface, the system creates additional lift, reducing engine load and fuel consumption. It also requires six to seven times less deck space, allowing for easier retrofitting and installation on a wide range of vessel types.
The maritime industry is increasingly adopting the system, with recent installations on vessels owned by Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Louis Dreyfus Company. Major orders have also been placed by Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and Klaveness Combination Carriers.
Beyond fuel savings, eSAIL® supports compliance with FuelEU Maritime regulations and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), while positively impacting Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings. With a typical payback period of under five years, eSAIL® is suitable for both newbuilds and retrofits across a wide range of ship types, including tankers, bulkers, ro-ro vessels, cruise ships, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo vessels.
