SHI’s wing sail-equipped LNG carrier gets green light from Liberian Registry and KR

November 22, 2024, by Ajsa Habibic

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has received approval in principle (AiP) from the Liberian Registry and Korean Register (KR) for the basic design of its wing sail-equipped LNG carrier.

The approval for the LNG carrier with the wing sail, an eco-friendly auxiliary propulsion system that generates thrust through lift created by the pressure difference between the upper and lower sections of its wing structure, resembling the form of a sail, was granted on November 19.

In addition to enhancing propulsion efficiency with wing sails, the newly certified LNG carrier features a forward bridge placement for resolving navigation visibility challenges commonly encountered with wind-assisted propulsion systems, the Liberian Register said.

By integrating the wing sail with its proprietary SAVER Wind air resistance reduction device, SHI expects that wind resistance will be further minimized, enabling the system to harness wind propulsion and lower carbon emissions.

In line with the UK Department of Transport’s Clean Maritime Plan forecast that the wind propulsion technology market is projected to grow to 3.5 trillion KRW (around $2.5 billion) by the 2050s, the South Korean shipbuilder plans to expand the application of this technology to other eco-friendly vessels, including ammonia and carbon dioxide carriers.

Jang Hae-gi, Executive Vice President and Head of Technology Development at Samsung Heavy Industries, said: “Wind power, being both infinite and emissions-free, is a crucial pillar for achieving carbon neutrality in the shipbuilding and shipping industry. Samsung Heavy Industries is committed to focusing its efforts on developing products and technologies that comply with environmental regulations.”

Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President of the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (LISCR), added: “The maritime industry is a hard-to-abate sector that needs innovation and new technologies to reduce GHG emissions. Although ships have been using the wind to sail the oceans for over 5000 years, it is new and innovative to use wing sails on ocean-going cargo ships, especially LNG carriers. Therefore, the Liberian Registry is very proud to award Samsung Heavy Industries with an Approval In Principle for their Wing Sail System installed on their eco-friendly LNG carrier design that supplements the AIP issued by KR.”