A major new influx of capital into wind-assisted ship propulsion has been confirmed, with bound4blue securing one of the largest funding rounds the sector has seen. The company says the investment marks a clear shift from demonstrating the feasibility of its suction-sail technology to scaling global production.
“This round signals a new phase for bound4blue. Earlier stages focused on proving the technology and validating its impact; now this new capital reinforces the long-term backing we already have from investors who understand shipping and share our industrial vision and the role this technology will play across the fleet. This funding enables us to expand capacity, accelerate our growth roadmap and advance new developments that will elevate both the technology and our services to the next level. It confirms that bound4blue is built on solid foundations and positioned for sustained global deployment.”
– José Miguel Bermúdez, CEO & Co-Founder of bound4blue.
The funding round was co-led by OCTAVE Capital, affiliated with major shipowner IMC, together with Katapult Ocean. New investors such as Motion Ventures, the Odfjell family office and the ReOcean Fund (supported by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Monaco Asset Management) joined existing supporters including Shift4Good, GTT Strategic Ventures, KAI Capital and CDTI, all of whom increased their commitments.
“We invested in bound4blue because wind propulsion systems have moved from promising innovation to proven, scalable climate infrastructure. For the maritime sector, where long-dated fuel transitions remain critical but still years from wide-scale adoption, this technology provides the real and immediate carbon emissions reductions needed right now. With bound4blue industrialising production across both Europe and Asia, the team is well positioned to lead the category worldwide. As an impact-driven investor with an interest in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, we believe bound4blue will play a critical role in accelerating shipping’s transition while delivering measurable carbon savings from day one.”
– May Liew, Chief Executive Officer at OCTAVE Capital.
Growing pressure to comply with tightening environmental regulations has accelerated interest in wind-assisted propulsion as shipowners seek solutions that deliver immediate results. bound4blue’s suction sails, marketed as eSAILs®, harness wind power to cut fuel consumption and engine load. Independent evaluations have confirmed the technology’s impact: the Ville de Bordeaux recorded daily fuel savings of 1.7 tonnes, with peaks of 5.4 tonnes, while Odfjell’s Bow Olympus achieved average savings of 15–20% and voyage-leg reductions of up to 40%.
“We are truly impressed by the professionalism and drive of the bound4blue team, and having seen first-hand the performance of their eSAIL technology on the Bow Olympus, we are convinced of bound4blue’s potential and are thrilled to partner with them.”
– Gustav Sannem, CEO of Rederiet Odfjell.
The company currently has its systems installed on seven vessels, with a further twelve ships confirmed in its order book, representing more than fifty sails in total. Clients include major operators such as Maersk Tankers, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Klaveness Combination Carriers and BW Epic Kosan.
Industry investors stressed that wind propulsion is no longer considered experimental but rather a practical, scalable pathway to decarbonisation.
“After years of looking for the right opportunity in this space, we were driven to invest in bound4blue, as wind propulsion has clearly shifted from an experimental concept to a bankable decarbonisation tool, and bound4blue in particular has proven it can deliver meaningful, verifiable fuel and emissions reductions at a category-defining pace. As the team scales into Asia and deepens partnerships with leading shipowners, we’re confident that their combination of technical performance, commercial traction, and global supply chain ambition will make bound4blue a cornerstone solution in the transition to a cleaner, more resilient ocean economy.”
– Jonas Skattum Svegaarden, CEO at Katapult Ocean.
“Wind propulsion has shifted from an interesting idea to one of the most scalable and cost-saving decarbonisation strategies available today. bound4blue’s proven performance, strong order book and industrial readiness put them in a category of their own. Led by a strong founding team of aerospace engineers, the organisation has shown tremendous execution capacity and customer attentiveness. We’re backing bound4blue because they are positioned to lead this global retrofit wave.”
– Anders Vartdal, Investments at Motion Ventures.
The new capital will support industrial-scale production of suction sails, expansion of manufacturing capacity in Spain and China, and development of high-volume production lines. With demand rising as the industry enters what many describe as a “retrofit decade”, the ability to install wind-assist systems on existing ships offers a practical advantage over alternative fuels that require substantial infrastructure and long adoption timelines.
bound4blue expects its technology to deliver more than 400,000 tonnes of annual CO₂ reductions by 2027, with cumulative emissions savings exceeding 570,000 tonnes between 2024 and 2027.
“ReOcean Fund’s investment in bound4blue illustrates our commitment to accelerating the decarbonisation of maritime transport with solutions that are both ambitious and immediately deployable. Wind propulsion provides a concrete response to one of the most urgent climate challenges while being compatible with existing vessels, which is an essential condition for delivering rapid, scalable impact. This investment marks a further step in the fund’s development and investment phase, focused on key sectors aligned with SDG 14, with green shipping standing as one of our top priorities. Backing innovators such as bound4blue is central to drive systemic change and shape a more sustainable and resilient ocean economy.”
– Olivier Wenden, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
In a global market characterised by massive fleet volumes and a concentrated set of major operators, the potential for impact is enormous. bound4blue has emerged as a leader in wind propulsion, supported by a team that is consistently engaged across the maritime ecosystem – from industrial deployment to policy and regulatory discussions. Their ability to operate at the intersection of technology, industry needs and sector evolution is exactly what Shift4Good seeks to back.”
– Yann Marteil, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Shift4Good.
“We are proud to accompany bound4blue on its journey to transform maritime transport. This follow-on investment reflects our continued confidence in their vision and technology. Through GTT Strategic Ventures, we support climate tech champions who share our belief that the future of shipping lies in cleaner, smarter, and more efficient solutions. bound4blue is a remarkable example of that vision in action.”
– Hélène Loncin, Head of Venture Capital at GTT.
“bound4blue is an example of how technology can transform a strategic sector and make it more sustainable. Our fund maintains a strong commitment to this project and to its positive environmental impact. We also share a common identity linked to Cantabria, the region where both companies have our corporate headquarters, and we will continue investing in technology companies that drive talent and regional growth.”
– Alfredo Pérez, President at Kai Capital.
With broad investor backing, a growing fleet of installations and strong operational results, bound4blue enters a significant new phase of international expansion, positioning its eSAILs® technology as a key enabler in the maritime industry’s transition to lower-carbon operations.
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