Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published by The Maritime Executive

Published Aug 14, 2022 7:57 PM by The Maritime Executive

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Oshima Shipbuilding Co. signed a contract for the construction of a second bulk carrier to be equipped with the companies’ hard sail wind propulsion device. The companies are moving forward expanding the deployment of wind-assisted propulsion even before the first bulker fitted with the Wind Challenger enters service. In addition, they plan to explore combining the sail with other technologies to further improve the vessel’s ability to reduce fuel use and emissions.

The new vessel, which will be approximately 69,000 dwt, will be built for MOL. The Japanese shipping company will operate the vessel for Enviva, a leading producer of sustainable wood bioenergy. Due to enter service in 2024, the new ship will transport wood pellets.

“For years, Enviva and MOL have engaged in discussions to improve the efficiency of marine transportation through a contract for the shipping of wood pellets in Atlantic waters,” the companies said announcing their plans to proceed with the construction of the ship. “In recent years, there has been a need to reduce the environmental impact of the entire supply chain. We entered into a partnership in March 2021 with the aim of realizing an environmentally friendly bulk carrier.”

The companies conducted studies considering the introduction of energy-saving technology before deciding to proceed with this vessel. MOL has previously reported that the additional propulsion power from the Wind Challenger can reduce a vessel's greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated five to eight percent compared to conventional ships of the same class. The Wind Challenger is a telescoping rigid sail that can extend to a maximum height of 170 feet when fully raised at sea. In port, the sail can be lowered to permit the vessel to pass under overhead obstacles or while loading and unloading

In addition to the use of the Wind Challenger, which MOL has been developing with Oshima, they are also examining the feasibility of also employing rotor sails, another auxiliary wind propulsion system developed by Anemoi Marine Technologies. MOL estimates that the combined use of both the Wind Challenger and rotor sails can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 20 percent.

While rotor sails have been previously deployed on several vessels, the first demonstration of MOL’s rigid sail is due to begin later this year. Oshima recently completed the installation of the first system and floated out the first bulker with the Wind Challenger. The bulk carrier is due for delivery in October 2022 and MOL will operate the ship transporting coal for Tohoku Electric Power Co.

Development of the Wind Challenger started in 2009 as a joint academic research project led by The University of Tokyo. MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding took charge of the technology in 2018 and now play a central role in this project. In October 2019, they acquired Approval in Principle (AIP) for the design of a hard sail system leading to the order in 2020 to build the first bulker outfitted with the technology.

Published Aug 26, 2022 2:32 PM by The Maritime Executive

The captains and other crew members aboard Seaspan’s tugboats which operate in the ports of British Columbia, Canada, walked off their jobs on Thursday, August 25, striking after their union failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement with Seaspan. Concern was raised that the strike could impact operations at the Port of Vancouver, which has already been experiencing congestion and delays due to the increased container volumes as well as a shortage of trucks and congestion on Canada’s rail...

Published Aug 26, 2022 1:21 PM by The Maritime Executive

Amplify Energy, the operator of the California pipeline that caused an oil spill off the coast of Southern California in October 2021, announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with plaintiffs in the class action to resolve all civil claims from local businesses and property owners that were impacted by the spill. This agreement comes after the company also reached an agreement with Orange Country, California, but the company is continuing to pursue legal claims against both MSC...

Published Aug 25, 2022 11:56 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Australian Border Force has carried out the nation's largest ever seizure of methamphetamine, a 1.8-tonne haul valued at about US$1.1 billion.  Earlier this year, detectives with the New South Wales Drug and Firearms Squad set up a task force to investigate inbound meth shipments. ?Acting on intelligence, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined a number of containers which had arrived at Port Botany last month.  The boxes were filled with what appeared to be slabs of marble. Upon destruction,...

Published Aug 25, 2022 10:46 PM by The Maritime Executive

P&O's logistics and feedering branch is opening up a new specialty business in the Red Sea, running small "micro feeder" vessels back and forth between Port Sudan and Port of Jeddah. The house-forward, OSV-sized vessels were built for a shallow-draft application, and they happen to be perfect for reaching underutilized parts of a seaport. P&O's extra-small feeders are handy for accessing port areas that cannot be reached by conventional container ships, and this allows them to bypass congestion, the line...

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