Odfjell Installs 4 bound4blue eSAILs® On Chemical Tanker Bow Olympus

Odfjell, a Norwegian shipping company, has installed four eSAILs® from bound4blue on the 49,000 dwt chemical tanker Bow Olympus.

The newly installed 22-meter suction sails will enhance the vessel’s performance by optimising airflow, leading to fuel savings and a lower carbon footprint.

Odfjell sees it as an environmental and commercial advantage, helping it meet strict industry regulations.

The installation of the eSAILs® was carefully planned to fit into Bow Olympus’s busy operational schedule. The process was divided into two stages: The first stage took place during a scheduled drydocking, where sail pedestals were fitted onto the vessel.

The second stage was carried out at EDR Antwerp Shipyard, where the eSAILs® were lifted into place. This was only made possible by the seamless coordination between bound4blue, Odfjell, and the shipyard.

The entire installation was completed within two days.

Two major wins in a row! 🎉
Our second chemical tanker installation is complete with Odfjell! 💨💥
🔧 4 eSAILs® (22m) installed on Bow Olympus (49K DWT) in 2 days in EDR Antwerp Shipyard.
📊 Odfjell selected our eSAILs® after a study by RISE(formerly SSPA) on wind propulsion tech pic.twitter.com/XvrgdWQr10

— bound4blue (@bound4blue) March 12, 2025

Odfjell conducted an extensive study of various wind-assisted technologies before selecting bound4blue’s wind propulsion system. The research, led by RISE (formerly SSPA), compared different solutions based on performance, return on investment, and compliance with maritime regulations.

The eSAILs® stood out for their high efficiency, generating six to seven times more propulsive lift than rigid sails of similar proportions. The mechanically simple design eliminates the need for complex tilting mechanisms, making installation and maintenance easier.

Safety was also a key consideration for a chemical tanker like Bow Olympus. Bound4blue provided non-ATEX units, which are suitable for tankers carrying hazardous cargo. This helped reduce capital costs (CAPEX) while simplifying the installation process.

Bound4blue’s CTO, David Ferrer, said that installing wind propulsion on tankers can be challenging due to ATEX zones and air draft limitations, but the eSAILS® offer a practical and cost-effective solution.

Odfjell has already achieved a 53% reduction in its fleet’s carbon intensity compared to 2008 levels by implementing various fuel-saving technologies.

Erik Hjortland, VP of Technology at Odfjell, stated that this project will help assess the real-world impact of wind propulsion.

The company plans to collect and analyse fuel consumption and carbon savings data from Bow Olympus before making further decisions on wind-assisted technology for existing vessels and future newbuilds.

Installing wind-assisted propulsion provides regulatory advantages beyond fuel efficiency. Wind energy is the only alternative power source recognised under the FuelEU Maritime (Wind Reward Factor), giving shipowners incentives to adopt such technology.

EU ETS (Emissions Trading System) compliance and improved CII ratings are added benefits for Odfjell.

bound4blue estimates that the eSAILs® offer a payback period of less than five years, making them a financially viable option for a wide range of vessels, including tankers, bulk carriers, Ro-Ros, ferries, gas carriers, and general cargo ships.

Odfjell has joined other shipping companies like Amasus, Eastern Pacific Shipping, and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, which have already adopted this technology. Meanwhile, Maersk Tankers, Marflet Marine, and Klaveness Combination Carriers have also placed orders for eSAILs.

Reference: bound4blue