Japan’s shipping giant MOL has joined forces with a unit of compatriot city gas supplier and LNG importer Tokyo Gas on an LNG carrier equipped with wind-assisted ship propulsion systems.
MOL and Tokyo LNG Tanker entered into a deal to install Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted ship propulsion system developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, to a newbuild LNG carrier.
The newbuid will get two Wind Challengers.
In March 2024, MOL signed a long-term charter deal with TLT for this 174,000-cbm LNG carrier.
Moreover, South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is expected to deliver this ME-GA vessel in 2026..
MOL said this is the world’s second Wind Challenger to be installed on an LNG carrier.
IN addition to LNG carriers, two bulk carriers equipped with the system have already been delivered, and seven more are scheduled for delivery.
One of the features of the Wind Challenger is its telescopic sail, which helps reduce fuel consumption and also greenhouse gas emissions, MOL said.
In September 2024, MOL and Chevron Shipping entered into a deal to install Wind Challenger on a newbuild LNG carrier.
This vessel is under long-term charter from MOL’s unit MOL Encean to Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping.
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is also building this LNG carrier, and the vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026.