Maersk Tankers is set to deploy eSAIL suction sail technology on five of its MR vessels as part of its strategy to reduce its environmental footprint and advance sustainable solutions in the maritime sector.
The line tanker operator, which is one of the largest in the world, with 240 tankers and gas carriers in operation, announced on Monday that it would be adopting the advanced energy-efficient eSail technology to create a sustainable fleet.
Bound4blue, which supplies automated Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (Waps), will supply and install the suction sails, while Njord will lead the integration, installation, and validation of the systems. The installation is the largest deployment of the technology to date.
Maersk Tankers Chief Investment Officer Claus Grønborg said concrete investments and actions were essential for the tanker industry to progress in energy transition.
“At Maersk Tankers, we are committed to leading by example, continuously adopting advanced energy-efficient technologies to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. By implementing wind-assisted propulsion systems at scale in our fleet, we enable our customers to meet their sustainability targets, while also advancing the objectives of FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System,” he said.
The sail technology works by dragging air across its aerodynamic surface to generate lift and propulsive efficiency, which significantly reduce fuel use and CO₂ emissions.
Each vessel will be equipped with four 26-metre autonomous systems, which automatically adjust to wind conditions for optimal performance.
The technology will be installed on the vessels Maersk Tacoma, Maersk Tampa, Maersk Tangier, Maersk Teesport, and Maersk Tokyo during dry dock periods in 2025 and 2026. The line first introduced Waps technology to its fleet in 2018 with the installation of rotor sails on the Maersk Pelican.
The line expects double-digit percentage reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per vessel.
