'World's largest' suction sail for cargo ships fitted in Spain with 7x lift

A Spanish sailmaker, bound4blue, has installed the world's largest suction sail on a working cargo ship, the Fluvius Tavy, at the Astander Shipyard in Santander, Spain. The 72.2-foot (22-meter) eSAIL wind propulsion system uses aerodynamic suction to generate lift up to seven times greater than conventional rigid sails and operates autonomously, adjusting to wind conditions without crew input. This installation marks the second for Dutch maritime service provider Amasus Shipping, following a prior fitting on the Eems Traveller, and highlights the growing acceptance of wind-assisted propulsion as a practical and profitable solution for reducing fuel consumption and emissions in commercial shipping. The retrofit was completed efficiently during the vessel’s scheduled maintenance, involving structural and electrical modifications to support the sail. Manufactured by Haizea-Tecnoaranda in Spain, the system is forecasted to deliver significant double-digit reductions in fuel use and CO2 emissions. The project underscores Spain’s expanding role in advanced maritime engineering and