MOL’s bulk carrier with wind power propulsion system enters operation

A Mitsui OSK Line's (MOL) bulk carrier has come into operation fitted with a wind power propulsion system.

PHOTO: Model of MOL bulk carrier equipped with wind propulsion system. MOL

The 100,422 dwt bulk carrier, Shofu Maru, will mainly transport coal from Australia, Indonesia and North America as a dedicated vessel for Tohoku Electric Power under a contract.

MOL says wind assisted propulsion will help the vessel its reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 5% on a Japan-Australia voyage and about 8% on a Japan-US West Coast voyage.

It expects bigger emission reductions on the east-west route, as the sea conditions are often such that ships move efficiently under the wind, MOL says. Meanwhile, on north-south voyages, ships often pass through areas where the wind is weak.

Developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, the wind propulsion system uses a telescoping hard sail that harnesses wind power to propel the vessel.

MOL has developed another wind-assisted bulk carrier which is slated to enter service in 2024.

By Shilpa Sharma

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