Wind propulsion technology company bound4blue has received a Design Assessment from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore for its Model 3-24 eSAIL, a suction sail developed for larger vessels.

The assessment was presented during a handover ceremony at SMM 2026 in Hamburg on September 8, 2026, and confirms that the design has been independently reviewed against Bureau Veritas’ technical requirements — providing a further layer of assurance for shipowners considering wind propulsion.

Bound4blue says it now has more than 50 eSAIL units ordered, with installations completed on 13 vessels and a further six in its order book. The Model 3-24 became the first commercial installation of the Model 3 range earlier this year, on board Klaveness Combination Carriers’ newbuild MV Baltazar. The Model 3 range spans heights from 24 metres to 36 metres and features an expanded surface area and optimised aerodynamic profile.

José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO and co-founder of bound4blue, said: “As the market matures, confidence becomes just as important as innovation. So, as wind takes its place within mainstream fleet investment, independent assessments really do play an increasingly important role in differentiating and substantiating technical solutions.

“Here at bound4blue it’s been a focus since day one. We are committed to engaging with leading class societies to demonstrate the quality and potential of our proprietary technology. By doing so we provide owners, yards and wider industry stakeholders with the reassurance they need to embrace the wind revolution and unlock significant environmental and business benefits. We’re delighted to achieve this latest recognition from Bureau Veritas as we continue to cement our position as a trusted industry partner.”

According to bound4blue, its eSAIL technology uses boundary layer suction to draw air across an aerodynamically optimised surface, generating propulsive force that the company claims can be up to seven times greater than rigid sails of equivalent size. The system is said to deliver double-digit fuel savings with typical payback periods of under five years, while also supporting compliance with regulations including FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), as well as contributing towards Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and EEXI compliance.

The Model 3-24 builds on bound4blue’s earlier Model 2 platform and is designed for straightforward installation and autonomous operation on both newbuilds and retrofits. bound4blue also says the technology supports compatibility with alternative fuels such as methanol and ammonia.

David Barrow, SVP for Western Europe and Americas at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, stated: “Wind propulsion is becoming an increasingly important element of the maritime industry’s decarbonisation journey, and independent technical assessment helps provide confidence as these technologies continue to mature and scale. Through this Design Assessment, Bureau Veritas is pleased to support bound4blue in advancing safe and reliable innovation, helping shipowners reduce emissions while maintaining robust technical standards.”

Bound4blue’s client portfolio includes Maersk Tankers, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Odfjell, Louis Dreyfus Company, Klaveness Combination Carriers and BW Epic Kosan, among others. The Barcelona-headquartered company was founded in 2014 and also has offices in Singapore, Shanghai and Suzhou.