Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) has held a naming ceremony at Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd’s Geoje Shipyard in South Korea for the world's first LNG carrier equipped with two units of Wind Challenger, hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system.
The vessel will be delivered under a long-term charter contract to Chevron Corp. at the end of September 2026. The Wind Challenger system is expected to reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional propulsion alone.
The ceremony was attended by numerous guests and stakeholders. The vessel was formally named FUJIN SAILOR by Molly T. Laegeler, President of Chevron's Supply & Trading business and the vessel's Godmother.
The vessel is the world's first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system, and also the world's first vessel of any type equipped with two Wind Challenger units, and the fourth of a total of 11 MOL Group vessels that have been or will be equipped with the Wind Challenger. The vessel represents a significant milestone in the application of wind-assisted propulsion technology to LNG transportation and reflects the collaborative efforts of MOL, Chevron, and Hanwha Ocean to bring practical maritime innovation from concept to commercial operation.
Laegeler said: “Reliable energy supply depends on trusted partnerships and continuous innovation. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with our partners at MOL and Hanwha Ocean. FUJIN SAILOR represents the combined efforts of many and demonstrates how practical innovation can help reduce the carbon intensity of LNG transportation while supporting the safe and reliable delivery of energy around the world.”
Makoto Inomoto, Managing Executive Officer responsible for LNG and Ethane Business, MOL, added: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Hanwha Ocean for its strong technical support in realising the groundbreaking innovative of installing the Wind Challenger on the vessel, as well as to Chevron for their understanding and cooperation in making this project possible. FUJIN SAILOR plays a vital role in ensuring a stable energy supply while advancing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of LNG shipping. Through the installation of wind-assisted propulsion technology, this vessel represents a new milestone in innovation of LNG carriers and is expected to contribute to the greater integration of new technologies to support greenhouse gas management in LNG transportation.”