The Japanese shipping company MOL is developing an LNG tanker with auxiliary wind propulsion together with the shipyard Hanwha Ocean. ClassNK has now issued the first approval.
The planned newbuilding is a tanker with a capacity of 175,000 m³. For the first time on a ship of this type, there will be a wind propulsion system with so-called rigid sails.
The installation of such systems is seen as a solution to comply with environmental regulations and reduce fuel costs, according to reports. The classification society ClassNK has now granted approval in principle.
MOL plans a fleet of 80 installations by 2035
The design envisages two sails, each 49 m high and 15 m wide. The “Wind Challenger” system is to be installed on the foreship.
MOL has set itself the goal of using energy-saving technologies to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and plans to put 25 ships equipped with the “Wind Challenger” systems into service by 2030 and 80 by 2035.
