Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced it has been awarded approval in principle (AiP) by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for the design of a membrane LNG carrier installed with the company’s Wind Challenger wind-assisted propulsion technology.
The design has been jointly developed by MOL and Hanwha Ocean Co. According to MOL, the AiP marks the ‘world’s first approval’ for an LNG carrier with a wind-assisted propulsion system.
The 174,000 cubic meters (cbm) capacity, 286-metre-long vessel that has obtained the AiP is capable of entering LNG terminals worldwide and is equipped with two Wind Challenger sails. Detailed design work is currently underway for a new LNG carrier ordered by MOL from Hanwha Ocean.
‘MOL, Hanwha Ocean, and ClassNK conducted a Risk assessment that comprehensively evaluated factors such as the placement of the sails, their impact on visibility, emergency operation procedures, and other safety measures, leading to the obtaining this AiP,’ MOL said in a statement today (2 August).
‘Additionally, the evaluation of the impact on the cargo tank due to the sail installation, conducted by Gaztransport et Technigaz SA (GTT), the designer of the vessel’s cargo tank, contributed to obtaining this AiP. GTT has confirmed that the structural safety of the tank is sufficiently ensured, even when considering the stresses imposed by sails.’
As Bunkerspot recently reported, MOL took delivery of the Green Winds last month, a new 63,896 DWT Ultramax bulk carrier equipped with Wind Challenger technology.
Source: Bunker Sport
