TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and its group company MOL Drybulk Ltd. today announced their intent to install wind propulsion systems including Wind Challenger (Note 1) on a total of seven newbuilding bulk carriers and multi-purpose vessels, which will be operated by MOL Drybulk.
MOL has measured the performance of the Wind Challenger on a vessel Shofu Maru continuously on actual voyages and confirmed that the Wind Challenger sail reduced daily fuel consumption by up to 17%*.
*The fuel saving and GHG reduction effect of the Wind Challenger depends on various conditions such as the type of vessel and the shipping route (Note 2).
MOL Group will have a total of 9 Wind Challenger-equipped vessels, bringing the total number of vessels equipped with wind propulsion systems to 11.
Among the 7 vessels to be equipped with wind propulsion systems, 6 new bulk carriers will each be equipped with 1 Wind Challenger Construction contracts have already been signed with Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.for 3 of the 6 vessels, and preparations are under way for construction contracts for the remaining three vessels.
In addition, MOL Drybulk has decided to install 2 Ventfoils (Note 3), a foldable and autonomous unit for wind-assisted ship propulsion, manufactured by EconoWind B.V. (headquartered in the Netherlands), on one of its new multipurpose vessels (Note 4) slated for delivery 2025 and operation under a time charter.
MOL has established the "MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2" and has set the target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. One of the key strategies to achieve this target includes the "introduction of clean energy, further energy-saving technologies," and the group plans to launch 25 vessels equipped with the Wind Challenger by 2030 and 80 vessels by 2035.
MOL Group will contribute not only to the reduction of GHG emissions from its own group, but also to the reduction and decarbonization of society as a whole through the safe management and efficient operation of its environmentally friendly fleet that combines wind propulsion technology, such as the Wind Challenger.
(Note 1) The Wind Challenger is a device developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, which converts wind energy to propulsive force using telescoping hard sails. For details, please refer to Wind Challenger | MOL Service Site (mol-service.com/en/).
(Note 2) For these six vessels to be installed the Wind Challenger, each vessel is expected to reduce fuel consumption and GHG emissions by an average of about 7-16% per year by installing 1 sail. We are also considering installing the Rotorsail*, a wind propulsion system manufactured by Anemoi Marine Technologies (headquartered in the UK) on some of these vessels. The combined use of both technologies is expected to reduce fuel and GHG emissions by an average of about 15-28% per year.
*The Rotor Sail is propelled by the wind blowing into the rotating cylinder-shaped rotor, which creates a pressure differential around the rotor. Since this thrust is generated at right angles to the wind direction, winds from other than the direction of the vessel can always be utilized to propel the vessel by changing the direction of the rotor's rotation.
Breakdown of 7 vessels to be equipped with wind propulsion systems
| Ship type | No. of vessels |
Wind-assisted propulsion system to be installed |
GHG reduction rate (annual average) |
Status | Scheduled delivery |
| Bulk carrier | 3 | 1 Wind Challenger per vessel (+ installation of multiple rotor sails is under consideration) |
About 7%-16%/vessel depending on route, conditions, etc. (about 15%-28% when 3 rotor sails are used together) |
April 5, 2024 Construction contract has been signed |
2nd half of 2026 - 1st half of 2027 |
| Bulk carrier | 3 | 1 Wind Challenger per vessel | About 7%-16%/vessel depending on routes, conditions, etc. | Construction contract negotiations underway | 2027 - 2028 |
| Multi-purpose vessel | 1 | 2 Ventfoils per vessel | About 2% per vessel | October 2024 Charter contract to be signed |
January 2025 |
(Note 3) Multi-purpose vessels transport steel products, construction equipment, heavy machinery, plants, rolling stock, bulk cargoes, etc.
(Note 4) Ventfoil is a system that uses the thrust generated by the wind to propel the vessel by means of sails in the shape of an airplane wing on the deck of the vessel. Winds from other than the direction of the vessel can be utilized by adjusting the direction of the sails, and the internal air intake system can draw in air from the surface of the wing to amplify thrust and as a result increase propulsive force.