Tokyo—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), a leader in global shipping and logistics, announced that it successfully co-hosted the sixth Shanghai International LNG Shipping Forum alongside COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co. on October 28-29 in Shanghai. As the industry faces mounting pressures to address carbon emissions and environmental sustainability, this annual forum serves as a vital platform for leaders in LNG shipping to explore cutting-edge solutions and exchange perspectives on both industry and environmental issues.
This year’s event, themed “Safety and Development of the LNG Industry Chain and Supply Chain,” attracted close to 200 participants, including top representatives from prominent organizations within the LNG sector. Presentations and speeches covered a range of critical topics, such as the evolving LNG market dynamics and the integration of eco-friendly technologies within the industry. MOL President and CEO Takeshi Hashimoto underscored the indispensable role of LNG as a cleaner energy source capable of contributing significantly to global decarbonization efforts. Hashimoto’s presentation spotlighted MOL’s innovations in wind propulsion, notably the Wind Challenger—a revolutionary hard sail technology that uses wind to augment vessel propulsion, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel consumption.
The Wind Challenger exemplifies MOL’s forward-thinking approach to environmental sustainability. Launched in 2022, the Wind Challenger-equipped SHOFU MARU, a 100,000-DWT coal carrier, demonstrates the tangible benefits of wind power in large-scale shipping. Through real-time adjustments in sail extension, contraction, and rotation based on wind direction and speed, this system has effectively reduced fuel consumption by up to 17% per day, with overall savings averaging between 5% and 8% per voyage. Over the last 18 months, the SHOFU MARU has successfully completed seven round-trip voyages from Australia, Indonesia, and North America to Japan, consistently outperforming traditional fuel-based vessels in terms of energy efficiency.
MOL’s collaboration with COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation Co., the co-host of the Shanghai forum, includes a fleet of 20 jointly owned LNG carriers, representing a robust commitment to developing environmentally responsible shipping solutions. Together, the two companies have made significant strides in advancing LNG project initiatives and furthering research into sustainable shipping practices. MOL’s environmental strategy, outlined in its “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2,” emphasizes the reduction of GHG emissions through innovative technologies and services aimed at supporting renewable energy and sustainable fuel sources, including LNG.
The forum offered participants an invaluable opportunity to delve into the shifting LNG landscape, spotlighting the technological advancements that will define the future of sustainable shipping. With the global maritime industry increasingly focused on reducing its environmental impact, MOL’s and COSCO’s leadership and dedication to cleaner energy solutions mark a progressive path toward a more sustainable future. As Hashimoto stressed, LNG will continue to be a foundational pillar in the transition to a low-carbon economy, and investments in new technologies like the Wind Challenger highlight the industry’s potential to harness natural forces for a cleaner, greener shipping sector.
