MOL names world’s first wind-assisted LNG carrier

Mitsui O. S. K. Lines (MOL) has held a naming ceremony for the FUJIN SAILOR, the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with wind-assisted propulsion. The ceremony took place on September 10, 2026, at the Hanwha Ocean Geoje Shipyard in South Korea.

The vessel features two Wind Challenger hard sail units, making it the first vessel of any type to utilize two such units. This technology is designed to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The FUJIN SAILOR has a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres and is powered by an ME-GA low-pressure LNG dual-fuel engine. It also incorporates an Air Lubrication System and a Shaft Generator to further enhance efficiency.

Scheduled for delivery in late September 2026, the ship will operate under a long-term charter to Chevron Corporation. This project is a collaborative effort between MOL, Chevron, and Hanwha Ocean. MOL intends to expand its use of Wind Challenger technology, aiming for 25 equipped vessels by 2030 and 80 by 2035.