Periodic Reporting for period 2 - bound4blue (Advanced sails to reduce environmental impact and OPEX of maritime transport)
Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-08-31
Maritime transport sectors are facing a double challenge: 1. New regulations that are forcing reductions in pollutant emissions, already entering into force, and stronger from 2020. 2. The increase in fuel costs (which represents 40-60% of their operation costs). This is of particular relevance when new less pollutant fuels have to be used, such as Marine Gasoil (MGO), which doubles the cost compared to the currently used Heavy Fueloil (HFO), causing a dramatic impact in fuel-related OPEX. Therefore, there is a market demand for solutions that contribute to reduce fuel use in this sector with a convenient return on investment (ROI).
Project coordinator, Bound 4 Blue SL (bound4blue) is a Spanish company developing automated wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of merchant vessels, which reduce up to 30% of the fuel used in maritime transport (merchant vessels, fishing vessels, passenger vessels, etc.), decreasing operating costs and the environmental impact of the maritime industry, also complying with new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations and the European Green Deal goals. So far, the main objectives of this project are based on: (i) scaling-up and installing bound4blue's suction-based wingsail (eSAIL) on a Ro-Ro vessel, (ii) developing a complete set of internal tools to increase company competitiveness, (iii) and improving company's industrial capabilities to be ready for large scale deployment.
The initially expected impact and short effect of the project was based on having the first installation on a Ro-Ro vessel of this new type of suction sail, and on the short and medium term this means attracting further investment and targeting new customers. Long-term effects, with the implementation of the suction sail in many vessels in Europe and at worldwide level will be, from the business side, the growth of the company involved in the project and the generation of hundreds of jobs in Europe, also in the shipbuilding and auxiliary sector; and, from the environmental side, the reduction in pollutants emissions, meaning a better health for our citizens and the environment.
Project coordinator, Bound 4 Blue SL (bound4blue) is a Spanish company developing automated wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) to reduce fuel consumption and emissions of merchant vessels, which reduce up to 30% of the fuel used in maritime transport (merchant vessels, fishing vessels, passenger vessels, etc.), decreasing operating costs and the environmental impact of the maritime industry, also complying with new International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations and the European Green Deal goals. So far, the main objectives of this project are based on: (i) scaling-up and installing bound4blue's suction-based wingsail (eSAIL) on a Ro-Ro vessel, (ii) developing a complete set of internal tools to increase company competitiveness, (iii) and improving company's industrial capabilities to be ready for large scale deployment.
The initially expected impact and short effect of the project was based on having the first installation on a Ro-Ro vessel of this new type of suction sail, and on the short and medium term this means attracting further investment and targeting new customers. Long-term effects, with the implementation of the suction sail in many vessels in Europe and at worldwide level will be, from the business side, the growth of the company involved in the project and the generation of hundreds of jobs in Europe, also in the shipbuilding and auxiliary sector; and, from the environmental side, the reduction in pollutants emissions, meaning a better health for our citizens and the environment.
This project was in execution for 24 initial months since its launch on March 2022, with an extension of 6 months for further development. Thanks to the intense work and dedication of bound4blue, several important milestones have been achieved during the overall project period of execution.
bound4blue completed a detailed design adaptation of the full-scale suction sail and its autonomous control system, as well as vessel transformation and other auxiliary objectives. Finally, the 3x eSAILs were successfully intergated on the Ro-ro selected vessel for the sea trials testing on February 2024, conducting those sea trials until July 2024. The obtained results in terms of system performance have been obtained and validated, being aligned with initial expectations.
bound4blue completed a detailed design adaptation of the full-scale suction sail and its autonomous control system, as well as vessel transformation and other auxiliary objectives. Finally, the 3x eSAILs were successfully intergated on the Ro-ro selected vessel for the sea trials testing on February 2024, conducting those sea trials until July 2024. The obtained results in terms of system performance have been obtained and validated, being aligned with initial expectations.
The outcome of the project will be based on proving the efficiency of bound4blue's suction sail in reducing fuel use and pollutant emissions in a Ro-Ro vessel. This will increase the competitiveness of the European maritime industry, resulting in job creation, both at bound4blue and in the shipbuilding and repair sector, and their auxiliary companies.
In general, the overall project objective has been to reduce the environmental impact of the maritime industry. The aim is based on offering a relevant fuel savings percentage while reducing CAPEX (hardware costs) and weight when compared to other potential solutions, and making our solution accessible to more vessels.
Measurable objectives and indicators have been monitored during the the project, which can be summarised as follows: (i) fuel use reduction, (ii) CO2 emissions reduction. In addition, some socio-economic indicators were monitored too, such as: direct and indirect generated jobs during the project and following its finalisation (technology adoption); auxiliary turnover generated due to the manufacturing activities; and attraction of private investment to enter into full commercial phase.
In general, the overall project objective has been to reduce the environmental impact of the maritime industry. The aim is based on offering a relevant fuel savings percentage while reducing CAPEX (hardware costs) and weight when compared to other potential solutions, and making our solution accessible to more vessels.
Measurable objectives and indicators have been monitored during the the project, which can be summarised as follows: (i) fuel use reduction, (ii) CO2 emissions reduction. In addition, some socio-economic indicators were monitored too, such as: direct and indirect generated jobs during the project and following its finalisation (technology adoption); auxiliary turnover generated due to the manufacturing activities; and attraction of private investment to enter into full commercial phase.