Santiago I leads Spanish wind revolution

Marflet Marine has completed the installation of four 22-metre eSAIL suction sails on board its chemical tanker Santiago I, making it the first Spanish merchant fleet owner to adopt wind-assisted propulsion and suction sail technology.

The installation was completed at EDR Antwerp Shipyard following preparation work at IMC Shipyard in Zhoushan, China. Engineering support for the project was provided by Cotenaval, with the technology supplied by Spanish company bound4blue.

“Seeing Santiago I enter service with our eSAIL technology on board is a particularly proud moment,” said José Miguel Bermúdez, chief executive and co-founder of bound4blue.

“It brings together two Spanish companies committed to demonstrating that innovation developed at home can help shape the future of international shipping.”

The 49,999 DWT tanker is expected to cut annual energy consumption by around 10-15%, depending on trading patterns and weather conditions. The reduction should also lower fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions while helping Marflet Marine reduce exposure to carbon costs under the EU Emissions Trading System and support compliance with FuelEU Maritime.

The project follows an agreement signed between the companies in May 2024 and represents a significant step in bringing wind-assisted propulsion into mainstream commercial shipping.

Juan Cremades, fleet director at Marflet Marine, said the company had invested in the system because it offered a practical route to improving environmental performance and commercial competitiveness.

“We’re really excited to see those benefits take shape on board Santiago I as it sails into a new age of operation,” he said, adding that Marflet plans to order additional eSAIL for other vessels.

DNV Type Approved eSAIL systems can be retrofitted or incorporated into newbuilds across vessel segments including tankers, bulk carriers, ferries, RoRo vessels, cruise ships, gas carriers and general cargo ships.