MOL Delivers Coal Carrier 'Maizuru Kazenomai' Equipped with Wind Challenger System
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- MOLWind Challenger-Equipped LNG Dual-Fueled Coal Carrier _'MAIZURU KAZENOMAI'_ Delivered -While Supporting a Stable Energy Supply, Reducing Environmental Impact -
- Portal PortuarioMOL recibe buque de transporte de carbón de GNL equipado con Wind Challenger
- ports news rusiaMOL puts Japan’s first wind-assisted coal carrier into service
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced the delivery and entry into service of the LNG dual-fuel coal carrier 'Maizuru Kazenomai', built as a dedicated vessel for Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. It is Japan's first coal carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger, a wind-assisted propulsion system using a rigid sail. The naming and delivery ceremony took place at Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the shipyard where construction of the vessel was completed.
Technical characteristics
The 'Maizuru Kazenomai' has a length overall of 234.98 meters, a beam of 38.00 meters, and a Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) of 95,311 tons. It was built in 2026 by Oshima Shipbuilding and sails under the flag of the Republic of Liberia. The vessel's name combines 'Maizuru', the town where the power plant of the same name is located, with 'Kazenomai', referring to its ability to sail using wind power.
Role and propulsion
The vessel is intended to transport coal to Kansai Electric Power's Maizuru power plant, playing an important role in supporting the company's stable electricity supply. It is fitted with a dual-fuel main engine capable of using LNG as its primary fuel, in addition to the Wind Challenger system, jointly developed by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding.
Emissions reduction
Compared with conventional heavy fuel oil-powered vessels, the use of LNG is expected to reduce GHG and NOx emissions, and significantly cut SOx emissions. The combination of the LNG dual-fuel engine with the Wind Challenger system could reduce CO2 emissions by up to approximately 30%.
Deployment plan
As part of its BLUE ACTION 2035 Phase 2 environmental program, MOL has set the goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. As part of this strategy, the company plans to deploy 25 vessels equipped with Wind Challenger by 2030 and 80 units by 2035.
