The Chinese shipbuilder Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) has presented a new ship design: an LNG-powered tanker with wind sails.
The classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for this design. This demonstrates the technical feasibility and regulatory maturity of integrating wind-assisted propulsion systems into the regular operation of LNG tankers.
The wind-assisted LNG tanker developed by DSIC with a capacity of 175,000 m³ combines an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system with sail-assisted technology to create an integrated solution. The concept reportedly aims to improve energy efficiency without compromising operational safety and ease of maintenance.
Three sails on board
The vessel is equipped with three next-generation folding wing sails based on proprietary technology. Made of lightweight composite materials, the sails have independent folding and rotating functions. An intelligent monitoring and control system continuously collects route-specific wind data and automatically adjusts sail angles in real time to ensure optimal performance under varying operating conditions.
On typical trade routes, the design is expected to achieve a reduction in overall energy consumption of more than 5% and reduce annual CO₂ emissions by around 2,900 tons. According to Bureau Veritas, the resulting Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is expected to be around 58% below the reference value.
As part of the AiP process, BV carried out targeted assessments of structural strength, material durability and operational safety to confirm the suitability of the design for the demanding deep-sea transportation of LNG. In addition, the technical feasibility of the ship’s energy efficiency targets was checked with regard to the current IMO standards.
