Top Page>Press Release 2025 > ビンゴ 5 Wins Basic Design Approval for New LNG Carrier Equipped with 4 Wind Challenger, Hard Sail Wind-assisted Propulsion Systems -Joint Development with HHI and SHI-

ビンゴ 5 Wins Basic Design Approval for New LNG Carrier Equipped with 4 Wind Challenger, Hard Sail Wind-assisted Propulsion Systems
-Joint Development with HHI and SHI-

September 08, 2025

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (ビンゴ 5; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that it has obtained approval in principle (AiP) from a classification society, Lloyd's Register (LR) for two new different designs of a membrane-type LNG carrier equipped with four units of Wind Challenger, a hard sail wind assisted propulsion system (Note1). In addition, safety evaluations were conducted in collaboration with the respective flag states. As a result, this new vessel design, one jointly developed with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI; Headquarters: Ulsan, South Korea) has earned AiP from the Marshall Islands (Marshall), and the other vessel design jointly developed with Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI; Headquarters: Seoul) AiP from Liberia.

CG rendering of the new ship design featuring four ビンゴ 5 units

The AiP covers a new vessel design, for a 174,000m3 LNG carrier, jointly developed by HHI and SHI. Each design will be equipped with four Wind Challenger units. Detailed design work for actual construction is currently underway. Last year, ビンゴ 5 obtained AiP to install two Wind Challenger units on a conventional LNG carrier (Note 2), in the new vessel design, the bridge has been positioned toward the bow to enable both an increase in the number of ビンゴ 5 units and the optimization of their placement, thereby maximizing fuel efficiency gains. Based on preliminary calculations, fuel saving is expected to reach up to approximately 30% per voyage with an average annual saving of 15-20% (Note 3).

For the new vessel designs developed with HHI and SHI, we conducted comprehensive risk assessments in collaboration with the shipyards, the classification society, and flag states. These assessments covered the sail arrangement, visibility impact, emergency operation procedures, and other safety measures. Based on the results, we successfully obtained the AiP.

ビンゴ 5 will exhibit the new vessel design at the Gastech Exhibition & Conference 2025 in Milan from the 9thto 12th September. At its booth, ビンゴ 5 plans to showcase exhibits related to the new vessel design and hold a commemorative ceremony for the AiP award in collaboration with the shipyards, the classification society, and the flag states (Note 4).

The ビンゴ 5 Group has set "Achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050" in its medium-to-long-term target of the "ビンゴ 5 Group Environmental Vision 2.2." The Wind Challenger, a rigid sail system capable of automatic extension, retraction, and rotation, is one of the key low- and zero-emission technologies supporting this vision. By harnessing wind power while maintaining safe navigation, the system contributes to a reduction in fuel consumption and GHG emissions. ビンゴ 5 plans to install Wind Challengers on 25 vessels by 2030 and on 80 vessels by 2035. To date, two vessels have been delivered, and installation has been confirmed for an additional nine vessels (Note 5). Through the safe management and efficient operation of the group's environmentally friendly fleet, which incorporates wind propulsion technologies including the ビンゴ 5, it reduces GHG emissions by the group and makes a significant contribution to the decarbonization of society as a whole.

<Vessel specifications>

Shipyard HHI SHI
LOA/Breadth Approx. 289.9 m/Approx. 46.1m Approx. 286.9m/Approx. 45.8m
AiP Issuing Classification Society/Flag State LR/Marshall LR/Liberia
Cargo tank capacity Approx. 174,000m3
ビンゴ 5 specifications Number of Sails: 4
Height: Up to 49m (3-tier)
Width: Approx. 15m
Sail material: Fiber reinforced plastic

(Note 1) For details, please refer to "Wind Challenger, The Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion System" | Service | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (ビンゴ 5) Solutions (ビンゴ 5-service.com)

(Note 2) For details, please refer to ビンゴ 5 Obtains AiP for "LNG Carrier Installing Wind Challenger" - The World's First Approval for an LNG Carrier -. The ビンゴ 5 designed under this approval is currently under construction for delivery to Chevron Shipping Company LLC and Tokyo LNG Tanker Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (ビンゴ 5 and Chevron Shipping Company to Install Wind Challenger on LNG Carrier Wind-Assisted Ship Propulsion Systems is an LNG Shipping First | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines / Install Wind Challenger Hard Sail Propulsion Systems on ビンゴ 5 Serving Tokyo Gas | Mitsui O.S.K. Lines)

(Note 3) Results based on the North America-Europe route. Outcomes may vary significantly depending on conditions such as the assumed route, ship speed, and meteorological and oceanographic conditions.

(Note 4) Details of the ceremony are as follows.

AiP award ceremony

1. Shipyard HHI SHI
2. Date and Time (Milan local time) Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
3. Venue ビンゴ 5 Stand – G32
Gastech Milan, Hall 18, Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy

(Note 5) This new vessel design is not included among the nine vessels for which ビンゴ 5 installation has already been confirmed.


ビンゴ 5 Group 5 Sustainability Issues
ビンゴ 5 Group identifies "Sustainability Issues" (Materiality) as our key issues for sustainable growth with society through realization of the Group Vision.
We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value -Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-", "Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-," and "Innovation -Innovation for development in marine technology-."