Mitsui O.S.K. Lines AiP for world’s first liquefied CO₂ carrier equipped with Wind Challenger

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced that MOL has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), on April 14, 2026 for a liquefied CO₂ carrier equipped with three units of Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system (Note 3). This Vessel design was jointly developed with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., and the design aims to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by utilizing wind power for the cross-border transportation of liquefied CO₂.

The AiP Award Ceremony for this vessel design was conducted on April 22, 2026, at the ClassNK booth during Sea Japan 2026, held at Tokyo Big Sight.

The AiP covers a vessel design for a 40,000 m³ cargo tank capacity liquefied CO₂ carrier intended for cross-border CO₂ transportation and equipped with three Wind Challenger units.

In this vessel design, the navigation bridge and accommodation spaces are arranged toward the bow to ensure improved visibility required for ship handling while enabling the installation of three units of the Wind Challenger. By harnessing wind power to assist engine propulsion, the vessel is expected to achieve reductions in fuel consumption and GHG emissions.

Moreover, the vessel design incorporates various safety considerations, including a safety passage between engine room and accommodation, optimized arrangements of navigation lights and placement of lifeboats. MOL has been working closely with SHI and ClassNK to conduct a HAZID (Hazard Identification Study) (note 4) to identify and assess risks specific to liquefied CO2 carriers equipped with wind-assisted propulsion systems and confirmed the technical feasibility and safety of the vessel concept.

Wind Challenger is a rigid sail system capable of automatic extension, retraction, and rotation. By effectively utilizing wind power while maintaining safe navigation, it contributes to a reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions. Applying this technology to liquefied CO₂ carriers is expected to reduce GHG emissions generated during the CO2 transportation process within CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) value chain, thereby contributing to further mitigation of environmental impact.

MOL Group has set "Achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050" in its medium-to-long-term target of the "Environmental Vision -BLUE ACTION 2035 Phase 2-" MOL plans to expand the number of vessels equipped with Wind Challenger to 25 vessels by 2030 and 80 vessels by 2035. To date, three vessels have already been delivered, and installation has been confirmed for a total of eight vessels (Note 5), including two LNG carriers scheduled for delivery in 2026 (Note 6). The development of this liquefied CO2 carrier concept represents an important step toward achieving both the decarbonization of society through CCS and reductions in fuel consumption and GHG emissions, contributing to MOL Group’s goal of net zero emissions. MOL will continue to advance the development of wind-assisted propulsion technologies (note 7) such as Wind Challenger and, through the safe management and efficient operation of its environmentally friendly fleet, contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions across society.