ClassNK has issued its first ever approval in principle (AiP) for a membrane-type LNG carrier installed with a hard sail wind propulsion system.
The ship is jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K Lines and Hanwha Ocean Co., and features the ‘Wind Challenger’ wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS).
WAPS can bring significant benefits in terms of reduced fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, depending on the scale and design, they can pose risks to the ship’s structure, crew and surrounding environment, warns ClassNK.
To address these risks, ClassNK has published the ‘Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships’ as a standard for ships equipped with such systems.
In issuing the AiP, ClassNK reviewed the conceptual design against its ‘Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships’ and ‘Guidelines for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems for Ships (Edition 2.0)’, examining the result of consequent risk assessments.
