Chevron Shipping Company LLC, a subsidiary of Chevron USA. Inc., and Mitsui OSK Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced an agreement to install Wind Challenger technology on a newly built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.
This vessel is the first LNG carrier equipped with a ship propulsion technology that uses wind assistance.
It is currently being built by Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.’s Geoje Shipyard, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding collaborated to create the Wind Challenger system, which uses telescopic hard sails to harness wind power and lower fuel usage and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
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The LNG carrier will serve Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd. through a long-term charter from MOL Encean Pte. Ltd.
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK) granted MOL Approval in Principle (AiP) in August 2024, with the vessel being the initial application.
In addition to the design, two additional safety features are a fully covered navigation bridge and a lookout station on the foredeck for more visibility.
Regarding tradability, the system is set up to have the least possible effect on the mooring, windage areas, and vessel design to maintain compatibility with the current port infrastructure.
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Takeshi Hashimoto, President, and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, said, “With the understanding and cooperation of Chevron, we are delighted to be able to expand the Wind Challenger Project to LNG carriers in addition to the two delivered Wind Challenger-equipped bulkers (Note 3) and other ongoing projects.”
He added, “Achieving GHG reduction in the maritime transport of LNG, which is increasingly in demand worldwide as a transition fuel, is a very important mission for us. This project will undoubtedly be a significant milestone towards achieving ‘net-zero emissions by 2050′, a medium to long-term goal of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, as stated in our ‘Environmental Vision 2.2‘.”
The Wind Challenger technology will be showcased at the Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2024 in September in Houston.