Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to install three suction sail systems on its vessel

Shipping company Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions with three suction sail systems installed by Spanish rigid sail technology company Bound4blue on one of its vessel next year.

PHOTO: A model of a vessel with Bound4blue suction sail system. Bound4blue

“We pay particular attention to the decarbonisation on of all our ships and are taking a proactive approach to study, develop and adopt solutions in this direction,” says LDA’s chief Kamil Beffa.

Bound4blue has developed an autonomous rigid sail system that complements the vessel's propulsion by adding more thrust using wind.

Thrust can be produced with wind that reduces the load on the main engine. This can cut fuel consumption, and consequently emissions by up to 40%, claims Bound4blue.

Bound4blue says the cost of its suction system can be recovered in five years. The system can be installed on newbuilds or retrofitted during drydock.