Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced that it presented a model of the coal carrier Shofu Maru-the world’s first vessel equipped with a Wind Challenger hard sail wind propulsion system (Note 1)-to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) during the Wind Propulsion Reception hosted by the International Windship Association (IWSA) (Note 2) in London on October 22.

Presenting the model ship
From left, Gavin Allwright, Secretary General of IWSA; Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of IMO;
and Tatsuro Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer of MOL

The reception included a commemorative ceremony for the model ship donation with the participation of over 200 representatives of shipping industry stakeholders from various countries who attended the 20th Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships held at IMO from October 20-24. MOL also introduced its initiatives to reduce GHG emissions using the Wind Challenger, providing an opportunity to exchange views on wind propulsion technologies.

The reception venue and MOL booth

MOL will proactively introduce wind propulsion technologies, including the Wind Challenger, and integrate them with fuel diversification and operational efficiency enhancements to help achieve the shipping industry’s shared goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

The reception venue and MOL booth

In addition, the company intends to actively engage in discussions at international organizations such as the IMO to build momentum for industry-wide action.
Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines