Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is advancing its wind-assisted propulsion initiative with further developments in its solid sail system, the “Wind Challenger.” Collaborating with Oshima Shipbuilding, MOL has created a rigid sail that automatically adjusts based on real-time wind conditions. This innovation is part of MOL’s broader strategy to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Wind Challenger system has been installed on two new vessels and has completed its first retrofit on the coal carrier Kurotakisan Maru III, which was delivered in 2021. This 89,999 dwt vessel is integral to transporting coal for Electric Power Development (J-Power) and is part of the next-generation ‘EeneX’ series, designed with a double-hull structure to eliminate ballast water use. MOL anticipates a GHG emissions reduction of approximately five percent on Japan-Australia routes and eight percent on Japan-North America West Coast routes compared to conventional vessels.
MOL’s commitment to sustainability is evident in their plans to retrofit 25 vessels with wind-assisted systems by 2030 and 80 by 2035, aiming for net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. The company also unveiled a new concept design for a liquefied CO2 carrier featuring three Wind Challenger units, which recently received Approval in Principle from ClassNK. This design prioritizes safety and navigational efficiency, marking a significant step in MOL’s environmental initiatives.
