Wind Challenger-Equipped LNG Dual-Fueled Coal Carrier ‘MAIZURU KAZENOMAI’ Delivered-While Supporting a Stable Energy Supply, Reducing Environmental Impact

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. has successfully delivered and commissioned an LNG dual-fuel coal carrier, designated as the "MAIZURU KAZENOMAI" for Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc. This vessel is Japan's first coal carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger, a ground-breaking hard sail wind-assisted propulsion system. The vessel's naming and delivery ceremony took place at Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., where it was officially christened "MAIZURU KAZENOMAI".

As an integral part of Kansai Electric Power's Maizuru Power Plant, the "MAIZURU KAZENOMAI" plays a pivotal role in ensuring a stable electricity supply. Recognizing the importance of reducing its environmental impact, the vessel is powered by a dual-fuel main engine designed to utilize LNG as its primary fuel source. This innovative setup, coupled with the Wind Challenger, has been engineered to significantly diminish GHG and NOx emissions while markedly reducing SOx emissions compared to conventional heavy fuel oil-fired vessels.

Moreover, the synergy between the LNG dual-fuel main engine and the Wind Challenger is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by up to approximately 30%. In line with the MOL Group's Environmental Vision – BLUE ACTION 2035 Phase 2, which strives for a medium- to long-term environmental objective of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, MOL has set a key action of enhancing fuel efficiency. As part of this strategy, the group aims to deploy 25 Wind Challenger-equipped vessels by 2030 and 80 vessels by 2035.