Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and J-Power have installed the Wind Challenger hard-sail propulsion system on the coal carrier Kurotakisan Maru III. This marks the world’s first retrofit of the system on a vessel already in service.
The ship arrived at Tachibanawan Thermal Power Station on April 13 and at Ishikawa Coal-Fired Power Station on April 17.
The Wind Challenger uses telescoping hard sails to convert wind into propulsion. MOL developed the system with Oshima Shipbuilding. The installation supports fuel savings and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Kurotakisan Maru III is MOL’s third vessel equipped with the system. The company previously installed it on the Shofu Maru and the bulk carrier Green Winds.
The vessel will operate under a long-term contract. It will transport thermal coal to multiple regions where J-Power runs power plants and related facilities.
The retrofit highlights efforts to balance energy transport with decarbonization. The vessel has gained attention in the shipping sector and received positive feedback from local stakeholders.
MOL aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under its “BLUE ACTION 2035” strategy. The company plans to deploy 25 Wind Challenger-equipped vessels by 2030 and 80 by 2035.
The project shows how wind-assisted propulsion can support lower-emission shipping while maintaining reliable energy supply.
