MOL invests further in wind drive

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and MOL Drybulk have announced that they will install wind propulsion systems, including the Wind Challenger, on a total of seven new-build bulk carriers and multipurpose vessels to be operated by MOL Drybulk.

MOL continuously measured the performance of the Wind Challenger on one vessel, the Shofu Maru, during actual voyages and confirmed that the Wind Challenger sail reduced daily fuel consumption by up to 17%.
MOL Group will have a total of nine Wind Challenger-equipped vessels, bringing the total number of Wind Challenger-equipped vessels to 11.
Of the 7 vessels that will be equipped with wind propulsion systems, 6 new bulk carriers will each be equipped with 1 Wind Challenger. Construction contracts have already been signed with Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for 3 of the 6 vessels, and preparations are underway for construction contracts for the remaining 3 vessels.

Ventifoils

In addition, MOL Drybulk has decided to install 2 Ventfoils, a folding and autonomous unit for wind-assisted ship propulsion, manufactured by EconoWind B.V. (headquartered in the Netherlands), on one of its new multipurpose vessels to be delivered in 2025 and sailing under time charter.
MOL has drafted the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2” and set the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. One of the key strategies to achieve this goal is the “introduction of clean energy, further energy-saving technologies” and the group plans to launch 25 vessels equipped with the Wind Challenger by 2030 and 80 vessels by 2035.

MOL Group aims to contribute not only to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of its own group, but also to the reduction and decarbonisation of society as a whole through the safe management and efficient operation of its eco-friendly fleet using wind propulsion technology, such as the Wind Challenger.

Source: Shipping Herald.

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