This year’s winner of the Motorship Award

At this year’s Propulsion and Future Fuels event in Hamburg, the award saw a stellar lineup of nominees, each contributing significantly to maritime advancements. The winner, voted for by an equally stellar group of attendees, was Alberto Llopis Pascual, head of aerodynamics at bound4blue. He received an overwhelming number of votes from attendees and received the award at the conference dinner held at Zum Alten Lotsenhaus in recognition for his company’s revolutionary eSAIL suction sail technology.

Bound4blue’s eSAIL perhaps caught the audience’s attention due to its transformative potential in wind-assisted propulsion. Designed for both retrofitted and newly built vessels, the eSAIL leverages suction technology, channelling air across its aerodynamic surface to harness wind power efficiently.

Bound4blue also obtained a certificate of compliance with DNV’s Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) technical standards. This certification underscores the eSAIL’s alignment with the highest industry benchmarks, paving the way for smoother technical adoption. With a streamlined Technical Assistance Data Collection (TADC) process, bound4blue has removed barriers for customer validation, accelerating implementation and affirming its place as a leader in sustainable maritime innovation.

Noteworthy nominees

While Pascual’s innovation ultimately claimed the top honour, the competition included other notable contributions to the industry.

Dr Santiago Suarez de la Fuente, ship performance manager at Lloyd’s Register, was part a collaborative effort between Lloyd’s Register and Anemoi Marine Technologies to retrofit the Kamsarmax bulk carrier TR Lady with Rotor Sails. This innovative solution is projected to significantly enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

The project was executed in two phases: preparing the vessel to be “Wind Ready” and the subsequent installation of three Rotor Sails. The collaboration between LR and Anemoi ensured seamless integration of the sails, meeting rigorous international standards while optimising performance. This initiative represents a new benchmark in the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion technology.

Jarco van Ben Brink, product manager, routing services at ABB, unveiled a feature within its ABB Ability™ Routeguard service. By simultaneously optimising a vessel’s route and speed in real time against weather conditions, this innovation enables owners to minimise fuel consumption throughout a voyage. The innovation stems from ABB’s acquisition of weather routing software provider DTN earlier this year and marks a significant advancement in operational efficiency, integrating predictive analytics to streamline maritime navigation.

CM Technologies’ managing director Matthias Winkler, introduced his company’s scuffing sensor aimed at preventing catastrophic engine failures in two-stroke engines. By monitoring the lubricant film on liner walls, the sensor ensures optimal lubrication under challenging conditions, safeguarding engine integrity.

A future of Innovation

This year’s Motorship Award nominees underscore the maritime industry’s dedication to innovation and sustainability. Each project, whether enhancing wind propulsion, optimizing route efficiency, or improving engine reliability, reflects a shared commitment to a greener and more efficient future for global shipping.

While Albert Llopis Pascual and the bound4blue eSAIL technology earned the top accolade, the collective achievements of all nominees represent significant strides toward a more sustainable maritime industry. As the sector continues to evolve to the new normal, these innovations will undoubtedly inspire further advancements and collaboration.