Marflet completes retrofit of 4 x 22m eSAILs on chemical tanker Santiago I

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 3, bound4blue completed the wind-assisted propulsion retrofit of the 49,999 DWT chemical tanker Santiago I, owned by Spanish shipowner Marflet Marine, installing four 22-meter-high eSAIL suction wings at EDR Antwerp Shipyard in Belgium. Following installation, Santiago I became the first commercial vessel in Marflet's fleet to operate with a wind-assisted propulsion system.

The project had previously completed "wind ready" pre-retrofit work at IMC Shipyard in Zhoushan, China, primarily preparing the hull structure and interfaces for the subsequent wing sail installation; the vessel was then transferred to Antwerp for the final installation of the four eSAIL units. The project formed a retrofit chain of "hull structure pre-treatment—equipment installation—operational deployment," with engineering support provided by Cotenaval.

The eSAIL adopts a suction wing structure, generating airflow over the wing surface through the relative wind during vessel navigation, with an active suction system controlling the airflow. The four units were arranged on board according to existing deck and cargo handling areas, with no need to replace Santiago I's main propulsion diesel engine. Based on project design estimates, bound4blue expects the wind-assisted propulsion system to reduce the vessel's annual energy consumption by approximately 10%–15%.

Marflet confirmed the project in May 2024, subsequently completing vessel engineering design, structural preparation, and equipment manufacturing. Following the September installation, the project has transitioned from the equipment procurement and retrofit phase to the onboard operational phase. Operating data from the system will be used to measure energy consumption on Santiago I's actual routes and for subsequent fleet applications.

Santiago I is a 49,999 DWT chemical carrier, and this retrofit has not altered its existing cargo service. Marflet's publicly disclosed project scope focuses on the installation of four 22-meter eSAILs, with no disclosure of the retrofit contract value, per-unit equipment weight, or specific payback period.