Asia/Pacific News
MOL to Equip New LNG Carrier with Wind-Assisted Propulsion System
Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has announced that its upcoming LNG carrier will be equipped with two 49 m sails to reduce bunker fuel consumption.
The 174,000 m3-capacity vessel will feature two Wind Challenger sails designed to reduce bunker fuel consumption and cut emissions, the firm said in a statement on its website on Thursday.
The system, co-developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, harnesses wind power to improve propulsion efficiency.
Wind Challenger was first deployed in October 2022 on the Shofu Maru, a 100,000-dwt coal carrier.
After 18 months of operational use, the system demonstrated an average reduction in bunker fuel consumption of up to 17%.
The LNG carrier is slated for delivery in 2026 and will be chartered to Tokyo LNG Tanker under a long-term charter contract.
It will be equipped with MAN Energy Solutions dual-fuel LNG engines.
