In a new move towards reducing carbon emissions in maritime transport, Chevron Shipping Company LLC and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have announced plans to install the Wind Challenger system on a new LNG carrier.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it will be the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted ship propulsion system.
The 174,000 cubic metre capacity vessel is currently under construction at the Geoje Shipyard of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. and is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The Wind Challenger system, developed jointly by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, utilises unique telescopic sails to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Innovative Design: The Wind Challenger system employs hard sails made of glass fibre-reinforced plastic to reduce weight and maximise wind propulsion.
- Safety Measures: Additional safety features include a fully enclosed navigation bridge and a lookout station on the vessel’s foredeck.
- Minimal Impact: The installation is designed to minimise impact on existing LNG carrier structures and maintain ship-shore compatibility.
Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping Company, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating: “This is another example of using novel approaches in hard-to-abate sectors to reduce carbon intensity in our LNG fleet.”
Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, highlighted the project’s alignment with the company’s environmental goals, stating: “This project will undoubtedly be a significant milestone towards achieving ‘net zero GHG emissions by 2050’, a medium to long-term goal of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group.”
The Wind Challenger technology will be showcased at the Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2024 in Houston, where information sessions on its application to LNG carriers and other vessels will be held.
This innovative approach to reducing carbon emissions in the maritime industry could pave the way for more sustainable shipping practices in the future.
Despite the positive industry reception, the initiative has faced sharp criticism from environmental advocacy groups.
Friends of the Earth released a statement labelling Chevron’s efforts as “greenwashing,” suggesting that the installation of sails on LNG carriers is merely a superficial attempt to appear environmentally friendly.
Jeff Waters, Offshore Fossil Gas Campaigner for Friends of the Earth, remarked: “When first I saw this, I thought I was reading a Terry Pratchett novel… Who do these polluters think they are fooling?”
He further criticised the project by stating that each ship carries over 200,000 cubic metres of liquefied methane, which produces substantial carbon emissions when burned. Waters concluded that adding sails to these vessels is akin to “putting lipstick on a pig”.
