Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has installed its Wind Challenger hard-sail propulsion system on the coal carrier Kurotakisan Maru III, operated for Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-Power).
The vessel is used to transport thermal coal for J-Power’s operations, supporting power generation across multiple regions in Japan under a long-term contract.
Following the installation, the vessel called at Tachibanawan Thermal Power Station in Tokushima on April 13 and Ishikawa Coal-Fired Power Station in Okinawa on April 17.
The Wind Challenger, developed jointly by MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding, uses telescopic hard sails to harness wind energy, helping reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The installation marks MOL’s third vessel equipped with the system, following earlier deployments on the Shofu Maru and the Green Winds.
MOL is targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under its “BLUE ACTION 2035” strategy, with wind propulsion identified as a key energy-saving measure. The company plans to expand the technology to 25 vessels by 2030 and 80 vessels by 2035.
