Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that MOL has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), on April 14, 2026 for a liquefied CO2 carrier equipped with three units of Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system. This Vessel design was jointly developed with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI), and the design aims to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by utilizing wind power for the cross-border transportation of liquefied CO2.
The AiP Award Ceremony for this vessel design was conducted on April 22, 2026, at the ClassNK booth during Sea Japan 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight.
The vessel has an overall length of approximately 224 meters and a breadth of 35.2 meters. It received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society ClassNK. The cargo tank capacity is approximately 40,000 cubic meters. The vessel is equipped with three Wind Challenger units, each up to 49 meters high (three-tier) and approximately 15 meters wide, with sails made of fiber-reinforced plastic.
The AiP covers a vessel design for a 40,000 m3 cargo tank capacity liquefied CO2 carrier intended for cross-border CO2 transportation and equipped with three Wind Challenger units.
In this vessel design, the navigation bridge and accommodation spaces are arranged toward the bow to ensure improved visibility required for ship handling while enabling the installation of three units of the Wind Challenger. By harnessing wind power to assist engine propulsion, the vessel is expected to achieve reductions in fuel consumption and GHG emissions.
Moreover, the vessel design incorporates various safety considerations, including a safety passage between engine room and accommodation, optimized arrangements of navigation lights and placement of lifeboats. MOL has been working closely with SHI and ClassNK to conduct a HAZID (Hazard Identification Study) (note 4) to identify and assess risks specific to liquefied CO2 carriers equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems and confirmed the technical feasibility and safety of the vessel concept.
Wind Challenger is a rigid sail system capable of automatic extension, retraction, and rotation. By effectively utilizing wind power while maintaining safe navigation, it contributes to a reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Applying this technology to liquefied CO2 carriers is expected to reduce GHG emissions generated during the CO2 transportation process within CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) value chain, thereby contributing to further mitigation of environmental impact.