Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has teamed up with Chevron Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Chevron, to incorporate a Wind Challenger, an innovative hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system, into a new LNG carrier. This vessel will be the first LNG carrier globally to feature such a wind-assisted propulsion system.

The LNG carrier, which has a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, is currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in 2026. Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping has chartered the vessel. This agreement follows MOL’s recent receipt of approval in principle (AiP) from ClassNK for the design of an LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system. The Chevron-chartered LNG carrier will serve as the first practical application of this design.

The Wind Challenger system, with its unique telescopic sails, is expected to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The system’s robust design includes additional safety features such as a fully enclosed navigation bridge and a lookout station on the foredeck to enhance visibility. The Wind Challenger will be installed in a manner that minimizes disruption to the existing design of membrane-type LNG carriers, allowing the vessel to maintain its current mooring arrangements and reduce impacts on the ship's windage area.

Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping Company, expressed pride in partnering with MOL for this industry-first installation. She emphasized that this initiative represents a novel approach to reducing carbon intensity in the LNG fleet and showcases the ongoing efforts to address emissions in hard-to-abate sectors.

Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, highlighted the importance of this project in achieving GHG reduction goals. He noted that, with Chevron’s support, MOL is excited to extend the Wind Challenger Project from its initial bulk carriers to LNG carriers. Hashimoto emphasized that reducing GHG emissions in LNG maritime transport, which is increasingly vital as a transition fuel, aligns with MOL’s commitment to its long-term goal of achieving 'net zero GHG emissions by 2050,' as outlined in their "Environmental Vision 2.2."

The vessel, owned by MOL Encean Pte. Ltd., is approximately 286 meters in length and 46 meters in breadth, with a cargo tank capacity of around 174,000 cubic meters. It is being constructed at Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. The ship will feature the Wind Challenger system, which includes two sails made of fiber-reinforced plastic. Each sail reaches up to 49 meters in height and 15 meters in width.