Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has held a naming ceremony for the Fujin Sailor at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard, marking the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system. Scheduled for delivery under a long-term charter to Chevron in late September 2026, the vessel features two Wind Challenger hard sails, an Air Lubrication System, and a Shaft Generator to significantly cut fuel consumption and emissions. This milestone supports MOL’s broader environmental roadmap to launch 25 Wind Challenger-equipped vessels by 2030 as part of its net-zero emissions target.
Geoje, South Korea | September 10, 2026 – Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has reached a major milestone in the decarbonization of LNG shipping with the naming of FUJIN SAILOR, the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system. The vessel, fitted with two Wind Challenger hard sails, was formally named during a ceremony held on September 10 at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard in South Korea. FUJIN SAILOR is scheduled to be delivered to a long-term charter with Chevron Corporation at the end of September.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines says the Wind Challenger system is expected to reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional propulsion alone, bringing wind-assisted technology into commercial LNG transportation for the first time.
A World First for LNG Shipping
FUJIN SAILOR represents several milestones for the maritime industry. It is the world’s first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system and the first vessel of any type to feature two Wind Challenger units. The ship is also the fourth vessel in the MOL Group fleet to be equipped with Wind Challenger technology, as the Japanese shipping giant continues to expand the use of wind-assisted propulsion across its fleet.
The naming ceremony was attended by representatives and stakeholders from MOL, Chevron and Hanwha Ocean. Molly T. Laegeler, President of Chevron’s Supply & Trading business, served as the vessel’s godmother and formally named the ship FUJIN SAILOR.
“Reliable energy supply depends on trusted partnerships and continuous innovation,” stated Molly T. Laegeler of Chevron. “FUJIN SAILOR represents the combined efforts of many and demonstrates how practical innovation can help reduce the carbon intensity of LNG transportation while supporting the safe and reliable delivery of energy around the world.”
Two Wind Challenger Units
The vessel’s defining technology is MOL’s Wind Challenger, a hard-sail wind-assisted propulsion system designed to harness wind power to supplement the ship’s conventional propulsion. Unlike traditional sails, Wind Challenger uses large rigid structures that can capture wind and provide additional thrust to the vessel. By reducing the propulsion load placed on the main engine, the system is designed to lower fuel consumption and emissions.
For FUJIN SAILOR, the technology is combined with several other energy-efficiency systems, including an Air Lubrication System and a shaft generator. The air lubrication system reduces friction between the hull and seawater by creating a layer of microbubbles beneath the vessel. The shaft generator, meanwhile, produces onboard electricity using power from the main engine shaft, reducing reliance on auxiliary generators.
Built for Large-Scale LNG Transportation
FUJIN SAILOR measures 294.9 meters in length and 46.4 meters in breadth and has a cargo capacity of approximately 174,000 cubic meters. The vessel features a membrane-type LNG containment system and is powered by a ME-GA low-pressure LNG dual-fuel main engine developed by MAN Energy Solutions, now operating under the Everllence name.
The ship was constructed by Hanwha Ocean, while ship management will be handled by MOL Global Ship Management Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned MOL subsidiary.
Scaling Up MOL’s Decarbonization Roadmap
The delivery of the FUJIN SAILOR aligns directly with MOL’s aggressive environmental strategy detailed in its “MOL Group Environmental Vision -BLUE ACTION 2035 Phase2-,” which targets net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. As part of its core strategy to introduce advanced energy-saving technologies, MOL is rapidly expanding its fleet of wind-assisted vessels:
- Milestone: Four vessels successfully delivered or named (including the coal carrier Shofu Maru, bulk carrier Green Winds, coal carrier Kurotakisan Maru III, and now the Fujin Sailor).
- Future Targets: MOL plans to launch 25 wind challenger-equipped vessels by 2030, scaling up to 80 vessels by 2035.
As the world’s largest owner of LNG carriers, MOL continues to leverage innovative engineering to balance growing global energy demands with rigorous maritime sustainability goals.
Chevron Partnership Brings Technology Into Commercial Operation
The FUJIN SAILOR project is the result of collaboration between MOL, Chevron and Hanwha Ocean, combining LNG shipping expertise, vessel construction capabilities and wind-assisted propulsion technology. MOL’s Managing Executive Officer responsible for its LNG and Ethane Business, Makoto Inomoto, thanked Hanwha Ocean for its technical support and Chevron for its cooperation in bringing the project to fruition.
“FUJIN SAILOR plays a vital role in ensuring a stable energy supply while advancing efforts to reduce the environmental impact of LNG shipping,” noted Makoto Inomoto, Managing Executive Officer at MOL. “Through the installation of wind-assisted propulsion technology, this vessel represents a new milestone in innovation.”
With its delivery to Chevron scheduled for later this month, FUJIN SAILOR will move beyond the demonstration stage and into commercial service, providing a real-world test of how wind-assisted propulsion can complement modern LNG carrier technology on long-distance voyages.
The vessel’s entry into service could mark an important step in the wider adoption of wind propulsion in large commercial ships, particularly as shipowners seek practical technologies capable of reducing fuel use and emissions without replacing existing propulsion systems entirely.
Key Highlights
- Location: Naming ceremony held at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard in South Korea.
- Vessel: FUJIN SAILOR, an advanced LNG carrier built for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and scheduled for long-term charter delivery to Chevron Corporation in late September 2026.
- Industry Milestones: The world’s first LNG carrier equipped with a wind-assisted propulsion system, the first vessel of any type to feature two Wind Challenger units, and the fourth operational Wind Challenger vessel in the MOL fleet.
- Main Specifications:
- LOA / Breadth: 294.9m / 46.4m
- Cargo Capacity: 174,000 m3 membrane type
- Main Engine: ME-GA (low-pressure LNG dual-fuel)
- Environmental Systems: Two Wind Challenger hard sail units, an Air Lubrication System, and a Shaft Generator.
- Ship Management: MOL Global Ship Management Pte. Ltd.
About Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL)
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines – MOL is a global leader in shipping, operating over 800 ships worldwide. Its diverse fleet includes bulk carriers, liquefied natural gas carriers, Ro-Ro car carrier ships, and oil tankers, among others. Beyond traditional shipping, MOL also engages in social infrastructure businesses, including real estate, terminal and logistics, and offshore wind power. With one of the largest merchant fleets and 140 years of history, MOL aims to be a resilient corporate group that provides new value to all stakeholders.
Source: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines