Fri Sep 13 16:36:00 UTC 2024: ## World’s First LNG Carrier to Feature Wind-Assisted Propulsion Technology

**BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 13** – Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Chevron Shipping Company have partnered to install the Wind Challenger system, a hard sail wind-assisted propulsion technology, on a newbuild LNG carrier. This groundbreaking vessel, currently under construction in South Korea, is scheduled for delivery in 2026.

The 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier, chartered by Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping, will utilize the Wind Challenger’s telescopic sails to significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This marks the first actual application of the technology, which has already been deployed on two bulk carriers.

“We’re proud to partner with MOL in Wind Challenger’s industry-first LNG installation,” said Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping Company. “This is another example of using novel approaches in hard-to-abate sectors to reduce carbon intensity in our LNG fleet.”

The Wind Challenger system features a robust design with multiple safety measures, including an enclosed navigation bridge and a lookout station on the vessel’s foredeck for enhanced visibility. Its placement is designed to minimize impact on the LNG carrier’s existing design and mooring arrangements.

Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, highlighted the significance of the project: “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 GHG emissions by 2050,’ a goal we outlined in our ‘Environmental Vision 2.2.'”

This collaboration between MOL and Chevron represents a major advancement in the maritime industry’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize. By embracing innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the companies are paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future for shipping.

Read More