en.Wedoany.com Reported - Lloyd’s Register has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with K Shipbuilding, bound4blue, and the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR) to jointly develop a 50,000 deadweight tonnage (DWT) MR tanker equipped with a Wind-Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS). The agreement was signed during the Posidonia exhibition in Athens.

The project will develop and optimize an MR tanker design featuring WAPS, utilizing bound4blue's eSAIL technology. The eSAIL technology captures wind energy using the suction sail principle to generate direct thrust, aiming to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and help meet increasingly stringent emission regulations.

Under the agreement, the partners will conduct technical and regulatory assessments of the design, including reviews against the latest classification rules and International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements. Lloyd's will provide technical assurance, design evaluation, and support for the Approval in Principle (AiP) process, while working closely with LISCR to ensure regulatory alignment.

This collaboration aims to reduce uncertainties in the application of wind-assisted propulsion systems in the tanker market by early verification of performance, safety, and regulatory compliance. By integrating expertise in design, technology, classification, and flag state, the project establishes a structured pathway for future commercial deployment.

Alberto Pérez, Head of Maritime Commercial Markets at Lloyd's Register, stated that the agreement reflects Lloyd's commitment to advancing maritime decarbonization through practical, scalable solutions. By supporting the development of next-generation tanker designs, it helps shipowners and operators transition to low-carbon operations while maintaining commercial viability.

Tae-Hyun Koh, Chief Technology Officer of K Shipbuilding, noted that as demand for sustainable shipping solutions grows, this MoU will enhance the company's capabilities in developing eco-friendly ship technologies and strengthen its competitiveness in the global MR tanker market.

Daniel Mann, Chief Commercial Officer of bound4blue, said that wind propulsion is becoming a key component of future-oriented ship designs, particularly in segments like MR tankers. By bringing experience and proprietary technology into this project, the company can help define how to integrate the eSAIL system into newbuild MR tanker designs in a safe, practical, and commercially competitive manner.

Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President of the Liberian Registry, stated that this project marks a significant step forward in advancing practical decarbonization in the tanker sector. Integrating wind-assisted propulsion on MR tankers can reduce emissions while enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of global shipping, helping achieve immediate fuel savings and emission reductions, and strengthening long-term regulatory compliance.

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