China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) has received approval in principle from classification society BV for a wind-assisted 175,000-cbm LNG carrier.
BV said in a statement that the endorsement confirms the technical feasibility and regulatory readiness of integrating wind-assisted propulsion into mainstream LNG carrier operations.
Developed by DSIC, the wind-assisted LNG carrier introduces an integrated solution combining LNG dual-fuel propulsion with sail-assisted technology.
This offers a “practical and cost-controlled upgrade pathway” for the global fleet of 175,000-cbm LNG carriers.
BV said the concept is designed to deliver improved energy efficiency while maintaining operational reliability and ease of maintenance.
Additionally, the vessel features three next-generation foldable wing sails powered by proprietary technology.
Manufactured using lightweight composite materials, the sails feature independent folding and rotation functions.
An intelligent monitoring and control system continuously collects route-specific wind data and automatically adjusts sail angles in real time. This ensures optimal performance across different operating conditions, according to BV.
On typical trading routes, the design is expected to achieve more than a 5 percent reduction in overall energy consumption. It also aims to cut annual CO₂ emissions by approximately 2,900 tons, BV said.
The resulting Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is projected to be around 58 percent below the baseline.
This supports compliance with the IMO’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy while enhancing long-term asset value and competitiveness for shipowners, BV added.
In September 2025, DSIC delivered its first large LNG carrier.
The vessel was built for compatriot China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), a unit of China Merchants Group.
CMES has eight LNG carriers on order at DSIC.