KR: Low-carbon sailing ship ready to serve Marshall Islands

Low-carbon sailing ship SV Juren Ae, built under Korean Register (KR) class at Asia Shipbuilding in Geoje, South Korea, has been delivered to Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC).

The delivery of this 48-meter-long 300 dwt climate-neutral supply vessel, which took place on July 31, is described as a significant milestone in sustainable maritime transport.

Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the SV Juren Ae is the result of a collaborative effort led by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) through their project ‘Transition to Low-Carbon Sea Transport in the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ for the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) since 2017.

Key partners of the project include KR, the University of Applied Sciences Emden-Leer in Germany, MISC, Asia Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., and naval design company Kostec Co. Ltd. in Busan, among others. 

The vessel was developed at the maritime campus of Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences with several innovative features. At its core is a partially automated sail system designed by German naval designer HSVA, adapted from a traditional Indonesian sail design. This “Indosail-Sailing Rig,” complemented by installed PV units and a hybrid drive system, is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to similar-sized ships. 

The SV Juren Ae can achieve a service speed of approximately 12 knots under sail and around 7 knots with the auxiliary diesel engine. 

The ship also features a battery rack charged by excess wind power, which powers the vessel’s electric drive during low-speed operations. 

The vessel will be operated by MISC for domestic sea transportation within the Marshall Islands and the broader Pacific Region.

Michael Suhr, Regional Director North Europe at KR, said: “The SV Juren Ae represents a pivotal moment in maritime innovation. This pioneering ship serves as a beacon for a low-carbon future in maritime transport, showcasing the viability and efficiency of sustainable technologies in the maritime industry.”