Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Japanese electric power developer J-Power have installed the Wind Challenger-hard-sail wind propulsion system (developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding on the coal carrier vessel ‘Kurotakisan Maru Ⅲ’.
This marks the world’s first retrofit installation of the Wind Challenger on a vessel currently in service, and is MOL’s third Wind Challenger-equipped vessel, following the coal carrier Shofu Maru and the 64,000 dwt Ultramax bulk carrier Green Winds.
The Kurotakisan Maru Ⅲ is said to have drawn attention in the shipping industry for contributing to decarbonisation while fulfilling a vital role in energy transport that supports local communities. It received a warm welcome from local stakeholders upon arrival at its unloading ports. The vessel is scheduled to operate on a long-term contract to transport thermal coal from overseas to multiple regions where J-Power operates power plants and related facilities.
MOL has set the target of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 through introduction of further energy-saving technologies. The group plans to launch 25 vessels equipped with the Wind Challenger by 2030, increasing to 80 by 2035.
Image: Wind Challenger-equipped coal carrier ‘Kurotakisan Maru Ⅲ’ (source: Mitsui OSK Lines)
