The project aims to use its rigid, collapsible sail technology developed in the context of the Wind Challenger project, on vessels capable of capturing the power during high wind periods to produce hydrogen for use during lower wind parts of the voyage.

The project team intends to take a new and first step toward the realization of a world of decarbonized and hydrogen.

Ouchi Ocean Consultant, the National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) of the National Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology Institute (MPAT), Smart Design Co., Tokyo University Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, West Japan Fluid Engineering Laboratory Co., Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), and Miraihene Planning are among the participants. This month, the group had its first meeting.

MOL is currently working on the Wind Challenger Project to improve sailing technology with the goal of using wind energy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

MOL and Oshima Shipbuilding acquired ClassNK's Approval in Principle (AIP) for the construction of the hard sail system in October 2019. With the telescopic hard sail, the device converts wind energy to propulsive power.

This sail technology is applied by the Wind Hunter Project and combines hydrogen carriers and fuel cells with electrolysis-produced hydrogen, with the power generated by a turbine for the operation.

MOL said the combination of sailing and hydrogen technology will enable vessels to sail on time, even during low wind times.

Maritime Business World