MOL and Chevron to equip newbuild LNG carrier with wind-assisted propulsion

Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Chevron Shipping Company, a subsidiary of energy company Chevron, have signed an agreement to install Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted ship propulsion system, on a newbuild LNG carrier. The vessel is said to be the world’s LNG carrier to be equipped with a wind-assisted ship propulsion system.

The 174,000 cubic meter vessel, chartered by Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping, is under construction at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard and is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

The agreement with Chevron follows MOL’s recent approval in principle (AiP) granted by ClassNK for the design of an LNG carrier with a wind-assisted propulsion system. The Chevron-chartered vessel will be the first actual application of this design.

According to MOL, the Wind Challenger will help reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using its unique telescopic sails.

In addition to the robust design of the Wind Challenger itself, additional safety measures include a fully enclosed navigation bridge and a lookout station on the vessel’s foredeck to further enhance visibility.

The installation position of the Wind Challenger aims to minimize the impact on the existing design of membrane-type LNG carriers. It will enable the retention of the existing mooring arrangement unchanged and thereby minimize impacts on ship shore compatibility, together with limited impact on the vessel’s windage area, the shipping company explained.

“We’re proud of partner with MOL in Wind Challenger’s industry-first LNG installation,” said Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping Company. “This is another example of using novel approaches in hard-to-abate sectors to reduce carbon intensity in our LNG fleet.”

Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines., added: “With the understanding and cooperation of Chevron, we are delighted to be able to extend the Wind Challenger Project to LNG carriers in addition to the two delivered Wind Challenger-equipped bulkers and other ongoing projects

“Achieving GHG reduction in the maritime transport of LNG, which is increasingly in demand worldwide as a transition fuel, is a very important mission for us. This project will undoubtedly be a significant milestone towards achieving ‘net zero GHG emissions by 2050’, a medium to long-term goal of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, as stated in our “Environmental Vision 2.2”.“