Japan-headed Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) has announced its intention to equip a second bulk carrier with the "Wind Challenger" hard sail system, which harnesses the power of the wind to propel the vessel while MOL Group company MOL Drybulk Ltd (MOLDB) will operate the vessel, which will transport wood pellets for Enviva Inc. (Enviva), the world's largest producer of pellets.
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The vessel, slated for delivery in 2024, will be the second Wind Challenger-equipped vessel in the MOL Group fleet, following one scheduled to enter services in October of this year.
A construction contract for the new ship has been signed with Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
The culmination of joint studies
Enviva and MOL have been engaged in discussions to improve the efficiency of marine transportation through a contract for the shipping of wood pellets in Atlantic waters.
In March 2021, the companies entered into a partnership with the aim of realizing an environmentally friendly bulk carrier, and according to MOL, this agreement marks “a culmination of our studies so far.”
The Wind Challenger is a telescoping hard sail that converts wind energy to propulsive force. Installation of one Wind Challenger sail on merchant ships has the potential to significantly reduce fuel consumption, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 5-8 percent.
A bulk carrier for Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., the first vessel to be equipped with the Wind Challenger, is slated to be delivered in October 2022.
MOL Group is also examining the feasibility of adopting “Rotor Sails”, an auxiliary wind propulsion system developed by a UK company, Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd.
The Rotor Sail produces propulsive force as the wind generates differential pressure around the slewing rotor while the vessel is underway.
Because this thrust occurs at right angles against wind direction, winds from directions other than fore and aft can be always used for thrust, by changing the rotating direction of the rotor.
The combined use of both the Wind Challenger and Rotor Sails is expected to reduce GHG emissions by an average of 20 percent.
