Maersk Tankers bets on advanced sailing technology
Af Maersk Tankers, one of the world's largest tank operators, is set to apply so-called suction sail wind technology on five of its MR tankers to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable solutions within maritime transport.
The company, which operates a fleet of over 240 tankers and gas carriers, continuously implements advanced, energy-efficient technologies.
As part of this effort, the company will install eSail, which is a suction technology from the company Bound4blue that specializes in wind-assisted propulsion systems, WAPS, or wind-assisted propulsion systems.
Maersk Tankers chief investment officer, mener, at tankskibsindustriens energiomstilling er afhængig af konkrete investeringer og handlinger:
- The Chief Investment Officer of Maersk Tankers believes that the energy transition of the tanker industry relies on concrete investments and actions:
- By implementing wind-assisted propulsion systems on a large scale in the fleet, we give our customers the opportunity to reach their sustainability goals and promote the objectives of FuelEU Maritime and the EU's Emissions Trading System.
About Maersk Tankers
- Founded in 1928,
- Maersk Tankers and the associated companies - Maersk Product Tankers and Synergy Group - manage one of the world's largest tanker fleets through direct ownership and commercial operation for other shipowners.
- Maersk Product Tankers has a fleet of 44 ships and is owned by A.P. Møller Holding and Mitsui & Co.
- Synergy Group is responsible for the technical management of the fleet.
- The three parties work together to operate the fleet optimally to improve environmental and economic performance.
- Maersk Tankers employs about 300 people, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and is owned by A.P. Møller Holding
Source: Maersk Tankers
This is not the first time Maersk Tankers has utilized WAPS in their fleet. In 2018, the company installed rotor sails on 'Maersk Pelican', and with the suction sails, Maersk Tankers expects to see double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per vessel.
According to the manufacturer, Bound4Blue, the suction sails, eSail, generate six to seven times more thrust than conventional sails.
Maersk Tankers' project partner, Njord Solution, has been responsible for the design and technology selection process and will oversee the integration and installation of the systems as well as the validation of the achieved savings.
Further initiatives to promote sustainability in Maersk Tankers' fleet include optimization of energy efficiency through analytics-based tools, investments in energy-saving devices (ESDs), and active exploration of alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia.
According to the shipping company, the installation is Bound4Blue's largest deployment of the eSail technology to date.
About Bound4blue and eSail
- Founded in 2014 in Spain
- Has developed a patented eSail – a fully automatic, wind-assisted propulsion system
- The solution can be applied to tankers, bulk carriers, ro-ro ships, cruise ships, ferries, gas tankers, and cargo ships, regardless of size or age
- Currently, eSail is installed on four ships with additional signed installations
This is not the first time Maersk Tankers has focused on sail technology.
Back in 2018, Maersk Tankers thus launched the world's first product tanker with rotor sails to gather experience with the technology.
However, the company eventually dropped the technology project when it sold the said ship, and since then, it has not been active within sail technology.
