Klaveness Combination Carriers ASA (KCC), a leader in combination carrier innovation, has announced a significant step toward reducing carbon emissions with the installation of bound4blue’s largest suction sails on its latest CABU III newbuild. This pioneering move, set for delivery in Q3 2026, will integrate two of bound4blue’s eSAIL® suction sails on the vessel’s bow—marking the first-ever installation of its model 3 sails, each towering at 24 meters, on a tanker-dry bulk carrier. The vessels, constructed by Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. and Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding Co., Ltd, underscore KCC’s commitment to transforming the efficiency of maritime transportation.
KCC chose bound4blue’s eSAIL® system after an in-depth analysis of available sail technologies, concluding that the suction sail’s aerodynamic performance offered the best alignment with the demands of its trade routes. The eSAIL® operates by channeling air across its specialized fan-assisted surface to generate forward propulsion, thus lowering fuel consumption and significantly cutting emissions from the main engine. This configuration allows the vessels to operate more sustainably while maintaining maneuverability in port settings—a crucial aspect of the CABU III’s design.
This installation aligns closely with KCC’s ambitious environmental goals to slash its carbon intensity by over 45% by the decade’s end. The company has invested over USD 32 million across 15 energy-saving initiatives, which, alongside the eSAIL® implementation, are anticipated to reduce carbon emissions by an additional 15% across its modern post-2015 fleet. KCC’s combination carriers already maintain a carbon footprint 30-40% lower than similar vessels in the market, making this latest advancement a natural next step in its efficiency-driven roadmap.
Commenting on this agreement, Engebret Dahm, CEO of Klaveness Combination Carriers, shared, “We, at KCC, are excited to partner up with bound4blue on its journey of exploring and utilizing innovative wind-assisted propulsion solutions on our fleet. This technology has large potential for reducing carbon emissions and is expected to become an important lever for the industry to reach its decarbonization targets.”
From bound4blue’s side, David Ferrer, co-founder and CTO, described the contract as a milestone. “This is a landmark contract for us in many respects, becoming not only the largest eSAIL® the world has seen but also our first newbuild project in China. It will give KCC a proven, autonomous, and operationally efficient solution.”
Founded in 2014, bound4blue has rapidly scaled its eSAIL® installations, with several ships already outfitted and further agreements in place with shipping giants like Eastern Pacific Shipping, Marflet, and Louis Dreyfus Company. The Cantabria-based company, with additional offices in Barcelona and Singapore, champions a cost-effective wind propulsion technology that operates autonomously with minimal maintenance, adaptable to a wide range of vessel types and sizes.
As KCC and bound4blue move forward, this collaboration could set a benchmark in renewable wind-assisted propulsion technology, showcasing the potential for such innovations to drive decarbonization within the shipping industry.