Mitsui OSK lines says the coal carrier Kurotakisan Maru II will become its second vessel to have its Wind Challenger wind propulsion system installed.
The giant Japanese shipowner said the introduction of the telescopic system next year is expected to reduce fuel consumption by up to 5% on a Japan to Australia route, and by 8% between Japan and the US West Coast.
The 89,999-dwt Kurotakisan Maru II (built 2021) is on charter to ship steaming coal for J-Power’s power stations.
The telescopic Wind Challenger solid sail design is a joint venture between MOL and Oshima Shipyard.
MOL currently has one vessel, the 100,422 dwt Shofu Maru (built 2022), which also ships coal, with the same wind system on board.
It said this vessel, which was built with the wind structure on board, has had fuel savings of 17% during seven round trips.
The company intends to install Wind Challenger sails on up to 80 vessels before 2035.
It announced at the time of the Shofu Maru delivery that it had secured transition-linked loans to support its transition to lower emissions, including installing wind propulsion solutions.
