As part of their ongoing commitment to lower the carbon intensity of their operations, Chevron Shipping Company (Chevron), a subsidiary of Chevron USA and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) announced an agreement to install Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted ship propulsion system developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding together, to a new build LNG carrier under long-term charter from MOL Encean (MOL’s 100% indirectly owned subsidiary) to Chevron Asia Pacific Shipping. This vessel will mark the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion Systems.

The Wind Challenger equipped LNG carrier

The vessel is under construction at the Geoje Shipyard of Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. and is scheduled for delivery in 2026. In August 2024, MOL obtained an approval in principle (AiP) by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK)—a first for an LNG carrier with a Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion System. The Chevron chartered vessel will be the first application.

Wind Challenger will help reduce fuel consumption and GHG emissions by using its telescopic sails.

In addition to the robust design of Wind Challenger itself, additional safety measures include a fully enclosed navigation bridge and a lookout station on the vessel’s foredeck to enhance visibility further.

For tradability, the installation position of the Wind Challenger aims to minimize impact on the existing design of membrane type LNG Carriers. It will enable the retention of the existing mooring arrangement unchanged and thereby minimize impacts on ship shore compatibility, together with limited impact on the vessel’s windage area.