Odfjell doubles down on wind propulsion

Norwegian tanker operator Odfjell has ordered a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) retrofit for a second tanker.

IMAGE: Rigid suction sail installed on Odjfell's chemical tanker Bow Olympus. Bound4Blue

Spanish wind-assisted propulsion technology firm Bound4Blue will install four 22-metre-high rigid suction sails on Odfjell’s 49,000-dwt chemical tanker Bow Optima.

The retrofit is scheduled to take place in China in the second quarter of 2027. It follows the installation of the same technology on Odfjell-operated tanker Bow Olympus in March 2025.

Bound4Blue’s system uses rigid, wing-shaped sails with suction technology to control airflow around their surface and generate additional thrust from the wind, reducing the vessel’s engine use and fuel consumption.

Odfjell has reported energy savings of 15-20% from the system in “good, but not perfect, wind conditions”, Bound4Blue said. This is equivalent to fuel savings of around 5 mt/day and emissions reductions of about 15 mtCO2e/day.

Odfjell's fuel consumption reductions have reached as high as 40% under some operating conditions, Bound4Blue added.

WAPS can help shipowners lower exposure to fuel price fluctuations and comply with emissions regulations such as FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS by reducing fuel consumption, the company said.

By Konica Bhatt

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