TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. announced the introduction plan of large-scale dry bulk vessel with a hard sail system.
This was certified as “Introduction plan of vessel with excellent environmental performance (Specific Vessel)”under the “Wind Challenger” project at the Oshima shipyard in the certification system for Introduction plan of Specific Vessel that Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) established based on Strengthening Maritime Industry law.
The Wind Challenger Project started in 2009 with the “Wind Challenger Plan”, an industry-academia joint research project led by The University of Tokyo, and since 2013, the team has been chosen to receive a subsidy on next-generation marine environment-related technology research from MLIT.
The additional propulsion power from the wind can reduce vessel’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 5% to 8% compared to conventional ships of the same class.
As mentioned, the hard sail will be installed on a large bulk carrier currently under construction at Oshima Shipbuilding after shoreside tests. The vessel is slated for delivery in October 2022 after sea trials.
Additionally, MOL set out its plan to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 through concerted group-wide efforts in “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1”
