Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Chevron Shipping Company, a subsidiary of Chevron U.S.A., have announced their agreement to install a hard sail wind propulsion system – Wind Challenger – on a new build LNG carrier.
MOL’s partnership with Chevron on a wind-assisted LNG carrier has been launched as part of their commitment to reducing the carbon intensity of their operations. The new vessel will be the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion Systems, which will help reduced fuel consumption and GHG emissions through use of its telescopic sales.
Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the vessel will be constructed at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard. MOL obtained an approval in principle (AiP) for the vessel by Class NK in 2024. The Chevron chartered vessel will be the first application.
‘We’re proud to 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, MOL President and CEO, said, ‘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 (Note 3) and other ongoing projects (Note 4). 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”.’
The Wind Challenger technology will be on exhibit at the MOL booth at Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2024 in Houston, September 17-20. Information sessions on how the technology can be applied to both LNG carriers and other vessels will also be held.