MOL Secures Approval for Wind-Assisted LNG Carrier Design

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has achieved a major milestone by obtaining approval in principle (AiP) from ClassNK for an LNG carrier equipped with Wind Challenger sails, a world first for this vessel type. Developed in partnership with South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, the design features two sails and a cargo tank capacity of 174,000 cubic meters. The approval followed thorough risk assessments and evaluations, ensuring the design’s safety and structural integrity. This innovation supports MOL's commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with plans to deploy 25 such vessels by 2030 and 80 by 2035.