A wind propulsion system is to be installed on a large LNG tanker for the first time. The US energy company Chevron and the Japanese shipping company MOL have joined forces.
A “Wind Challenger” system developed by MOL together with Oshima Shipbuilding is to be installed on a new tanker (174,000 m³) being built at the Hanwha shipyard in South Korea.
It consists of two rigid telescopic sails on the tanker’s forecastle. Delivery is scheduled for 2026. “This is a further contribution to reducing emissions in shipping,” says Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping Company.
In addition to the robust design of the Wind Challenger, the innovations include a lookout on the foredeck of the ship to improve visibility. Previously, the system was only installed on bulkers carrying less sensitive cargo.
The sail construction is around 53 m high and 15 m wide and is made of fibre-reinforced plastic.
