SPANISH WIND PROPULSION company bound4blue has installed a 22-metre eSAIL on a multi-purpose vessel which has now begun inter-island service in French Polynesia.
The installation on Na Hiro E Pae was undertaken by Astilleros Armon Vigo, Spain, before delivery to Société de Navigation des Australes SNA Tuha'a Pae Shipping Company. Bound4blue says this is the first known multi-purpose vessel worldwide to adopt a wind propulsion system, and links back to “goelettes”, schooners that historically supplied remote islands under sail.
Na Hiro E Pae operates between Tahiti and the remote Austral Islands, transporting passengers, food supplies and general cargo, providing a vital maritime lifeline for local communities. It has capacity for 200 passengers and up to 1,500 tonnes of cargo.
bound4blue says its mechanically simple suction sail, producing up to seven times the propulsive force of a standard rigid sail of the same size, slots into a ‘green technology mix’ that includes engines capable of running on biofuel or e-fuel, electric POD propulsion, efficient waste management, and autonomy in fresh water supply.
The development marks the first time an advanced Wind Propulsion System (WPS) has been installed on a multi-purpose vessel of this kind, as well as the first time such technology has been deployed in the region.
José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue, said multi-purpose vessels had traditionally been seen as a challenging segment for wind power, due to the required flexibility of operations and related integration demands.
This project demonstrates how systems suppliers, naval architects, shipowners and other key stakeholders can solve such issues, collaborating closely to empower progress, he said.
“We’re particularly pleased to have been selected alongside so many complementary technologies, providing a tangible example of how owners can combine solutions to optimise environmental and commercial performance. We hope Na Hiro E Pae leads the way for other ambitious shipping companies keen to unlock sustainable advantages.”
bound4blue’s single eSAIL® is expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 10%, as well as helping improve the Cotenaval-designed vessel's EEDI and CII performances.
The newbuild forms part of a broader effort to modernise maritime transport links serving the Austral Islands, while supporting sustainability goals and local economic development. The project previously received support through the French Polynesian Government's Appel à Manifestation d'Intérêt initiative, recognising its contribution to fleet renewal, regional connectivity and environmental performance.
Bound4blue has now deployed eSAIL® systems on twelve ships, with a further six vessels in its order book, representing more than 50 eSAILs® in total. The autonomous, non-ATEX units ease engine loads, cut fuel consumption (delivering up to double digit savings), and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, delivering strong regulatory and financial benefits, it claims.