Hanwha Ocean completes an LNG carrier for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines equipped with wind propulsion systems developed to reduce fuel consumption
Seoul – South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean is preparing to deliver the world’s first methane carrier equipped with wind propulsion technology using rigid sails. The unit, built for Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), will enter service by the end of the year under a long-term charter contract for Chevron.
The vessel has been fitted with two Wind Challenger systems, rigid sails developed by MOL over the last decade to harness wind energy as support for traditional propulsion. According to the Japanese company, the solution could enable fuel savings of up to 12% per voyage, varying according to weather and sea conditions.
Until now, this technology had been mainly employed on bulk carriers, while the methane carrier sector has adopted wind propulsion systems more slowly due to greater technical and operational complexities. Among the obstacles are the layout of equipment on deck, boil-off gas management systems, and safety requirements related to the transport of liquefied natural gas.
The project nonetheless represents a significant step towards the decarbonization of energy maritime transport, a sector increasingly under pressure to reduce emissions. The integration of wind propulsion into LNG carriers could open new technological prospects for one of the most important ship types in global energy trade.
The initiative also confirms the growing interest of the shipbuilding industry in hybrid solutions capable of combining alternative fuels and renewable energies. In a context of increasingly stringent environmental regulations, shipowners and shipyards are accelerating the search for technologies able to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption of commercial fleets.
