World’s first fore-accommodation LNG carrier equipped with MOL’s Wind Challenger receives LR Design Appraisal
LR’s Design Appraisal confirms the technical readiness of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ fore-accommodation LNG carrier design featuring MOL’s Wind Challenger hard-sail system. Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Design Appraisal for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI) fore-accommodation LNG carrier design featuring the Wind Challenger wind-assisted propulsion system developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines…
LR has granted Design Appraisal for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' fore-accommodation LNG carrier design featuring Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' Wind Challenger wind-assisted propulsion system. The project, presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, marks the world's first LNG carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger hard-sail system. This innovative design relocates the accommodation block and bridge to the bow of the vessel, creating a clear mid-to-aft deck area for the sails while meeting operational and navigational requirements.
The collaboration between LR, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator involved assessing key technical areas such as navigational visibility, hull stability, structural stress from hard sails, and integrated Emergency Shutdown systems. A hazard identification study and risk assessments were conducted in line with LR's Risk Based Certification process.
The Design Appraisal confirms compliance with LR's WAPS notation requirements, ensuring the safe and effective application of wind-assisted propulsion systems. Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer at Lloyd’s Register, highlighted the importance of robust technical frameworks for assessing new technologies in LNG carrier designs. Hongryeul Ryu, Executive Vice President & CTO at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, emphasized the collaborative development and class-compliant nature of the concept.
Yoshihiko Sugimoto, Executive Officer & CTO at Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, stated that the Design Appraisal represents a milestone in advancing wind-assisted propulsion for LNG carriers, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Richard Dias, Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs at the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, expressed satisfaction with the project's progress and its alignment with the International Maritime Organization's decarbonization targets.
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