World’s first theatre vessel gets eSAIL
bound4blue has successfully installed an 18-metre-high eSAIL on La Naumon, a theatre vessel produced by La Fura dels Baus and the production company Elipsis Onboard.
The rigid sail which is equipped with a tilting mechanism and an autonomous control system, has technology that complies with International Maritime Organisation emissions reduction regulations, including the upcoming EEXI and CII measures.
The suction sail, in addition to co-propelling “La Naumon”, will also be the main stage of the wind theatre.
The installation, approved by DNV-GL, has been done within the framework of the ‘GREENing the Blue’ project, co-funded by the European Union. The Spanish shipyard Astander has participated in the project leading the installation phase of the sail, and the German company Lanitz Aviation has tested new lightweight materials to be applied in the maritime sector.
Juan Luis Sánchez, Director of Astander said: “Reducing CO2 is one of the most ambitious goals for the maritime industry in upcoming years and installing this sail helps ships consume less fuel without losing competitive performance, and therefore, emit less.”
“Before the installation, a detailed vessel transformation project is performed and submitted to the Class Society and Flagging State for approval. Later, prior to the installation, the foundation and electrical work is completed. The installation can then be performed afloat, like in the case of “La Naumon”, during a scheduled dry-docking or during any port call, as the operation takes less than a day,” added José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO of bound4blue.