Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has achieved a historic breakthrough in the maritime industry by obtaining the world’s first approval in principle (AiP) for an LNG carrier integrating the innovative wind-assisted propulsion system, Wind Challenger.
This approval, granted by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), validates a design developed in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, which combines sustainability and advanced technology to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The vessel, equipped with two sails Wind ChallengerThe vessel, equipped with two Wind Challenger sails, has a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic meters and is designed to operate in LNG terminals globally.
The AiP AiP approval included a comprehensive risk assessment that considered factors such as visibility, emergency procedures and the structural integrity of the cargo tank, conducted by GTT, ensuring that the stresses imposed by the sails would not compromise the safety of the vessel.
Wind Challenger System as a decarbonization strategy
Within its Environmental Vision 2.2MOL has set ambitious medium- and long-term goals, including reducing net GHG emissions to zero by 2050. The deployment of Wind Challenger technology is key to this effort, with plans to launch 25 vessels equipped with this technology by 2030 and 80 by 2035.
MOL’s adoption of wind propulsion represents a breakthrough in the decarbonization of its own fleet and sets a new standard for the global maritime industry. Through its environmentally friendly fleet and efficient resource management, MOL contributes to a more sustainable society and the conservation of the marine environment.
This is how the Wind Challenger system works. Source: MOL.
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Source and photo: MOL
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