Chemical Challenger first ship to get Green Award’s GHG Label for wind technology use

Chemical Challenger, a chemical tanker operated by Dutch shipping company Chemship, has become the first vessel to receive the Green Award GHG Label for CO2 reduction using wind technology.

The 16,000-ton chemical tanker, managed by Fleet Management Limited in Hong Kong, recently underwent a groundbreaking retrofit, becoming the world’s first chemical tanker equipped with Econowind’s innovative VentoFoil wind-assisted propulsion system.

The installation of four 16-meter-high aluminium wind sails aims to reduce the vessel’s CO2 emissions by 10% annually.

“We are thrilled to see the Chemical Challenger leading the way in the chemical tanker segment by embracing wind-assisted propulsion. This milestone aligns perfectly with our mission to promote sustainable shipping practices and recognise the frontrunners in the industry,” Jan Fransen, Executive Director of Green Award Foundation, a certification and incentive program for shipping, commented.

Green Award’s GHG Label, introduced in 2022, recognizes ships that have taken significant steps to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through the use of renewable & advanced energy sources, zero-carbon fuels, or low-carbon fuels.

The Chemical Challenger has attained the CO2 Level 1 label, demonstrating its commitment to going beyond operational readiness in the adoption of sustainable technologies.

“As a company committed to sustainable shipping, we are proud to have the Chemical Challenger as the first ship to receive the Green Award GHG Label for innovative wind technology use. This recognition validates our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and sets a new standard for the industry,” Niels Grotz, CEO of Chemship, said.

The VentoFoil system, developed by Dutch company Econowind, uses smart vacuum technology to quintuple the force of the wind, creating a wind surface area equivalent to a sail measuring 30 by 30 meters. By harnessing the power of the wind, the Chemical Challenger is expected to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by approximately 850 tons, equivalent to the yearly emissions of over 500 passenger cars.

“I am proud of the Chemical Challenger’s achievement in receiving the Green Award GHG Label. This recognition affirms our commitment to sustainable shipping and the practical impact of technologies like the VentoFoil system. At FLEET, we continue to lead efforts towards more sustainable maritime practices,” Kishore Rajvanshy, Managing Director, Fleet Management Limited (FLEET), noted.

The Chemical Challenger‘s historic voyage is said to mark ‘a significant step forward’ in the maritime industry’s pursuit of cleaner and more sustainable operations.