Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines has collaborated with two Korean shipyards on similar wind-assisted LNG carrier designs
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted approval in principal for two new LNG carrier designs incorporating four Wind Challenger, hard sail wind-assisted propulsion systems.
MOL collaborated with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on separate wind-assisted propulsion designs for a membrane-type LNG carrier.
The AiP covers a new vessel design, for a 174,000-m3 LNG carrier, jointly developed by HHI and SHI. Each design will be equipped with four Wind Challenger units. Detailed design work for actual construction is currently underway, according to the shipowner.
“Last year, MOL obtained AiP to install two Wind Challenger units on a conventional LNG carrier. In the new vessel design, the bridge has been positioned toward the bow to enable both an increase in the number of Wind Challenger units and the optimisation of their placement, thereby maximising fuel efficiency gains. Based on preliminary calculations, fuel saving is expected to reach up to approximately 30% per voyage with an average annual saving of 15-20%,” the company said.
For the new vessel designs developed with HHI and SHI, MOL said it conducted “comprehensive” risk assessments in collaboration with the shipyards, the classification society, and flag states. These assessments covered the sail arrangement, visibility impact, emergency operation procedures, and other safety measures.
“Based on the results, we successfully obtained the AiP,” MOL said, noting that flag states undertook additional safety evaluations for the designs.
“As a result, this new vessel design, one jointly developed with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has earned AiP from the Marshall Islands, and the other vessel design jointly developed with Samsung Heavy Industries, [an] AiP from Liberia,” MOL said.
