WIND HUNTER

With the passing of time, the energy for ships’ propulsion changed from manpower and wind power to steam turbine powered by coal and then to diesel engines powered by petroleum. Today, maritime transport accounts for more than 99.5% of the world’s international trading (by tonnage, as of 2021), and the massive consumption of fossil fuels by ships is impacting global warming.
In 2018,the International Maritime Organization (IMO)set a target to reduce GHG emissions from ships by at least 50% from the 2008 level by 2050, but in 2023, the IMO resolved to raise this target significantly and set a new target to achieve virtually zero GHG emissions by 2050. In 2021, prior to the resolution in 2023, MOL group set a target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and is engaged in a variety of research and development activities.

MOL has establishedMOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2and has already taken steps to reduce GHG emissions. In 2022, SHOFU MARU, a vessel equipped with Wind Challenger sails which use wind as auxiliary propulsion, was delivered and started her operation.
Wind Challenger sails are state-of-the-art “rigid sails” covered with FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic), hard material and can efficiently convert wind power into propulsion.
The ratio of fuel consumption reduction is depended on the wind direction and wind force on the vessel's route, it can reduce fuel consumption by 5-8% in average.

As a key action towards achieving substantial net zero greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions by 2050 and promoting sustainable development for people, society and the planet, MOL aims to achieve the "Green Ocean Shift" by contributing to construct clean energy supply chain from upstream to downstream.

Wind Hunter, it is a vessel which aims to leverage the sail technology that MOL nurtured in Wind Challenger project and applies more advanced technology to create, store, and transport green hydrogen produced by infinite offshore wind. In other words, it is a hybrid plant that combines a moving offshore wind turbine and a hydrogen production facility.

The wind energy captured by the sails is used to propel Wind Hunter, and hydrogen is produced by generating electricity in underwater generator turbine. The project also aims to supply the hydrogen energy to the land usages, and to achieve complete zero emissions.

During high winds, Wind Hunter produces hydrogen by extending its sails to capture the wind while it uses offshore wind power to navigate.
When sailing in weak windy waters or when entering/leaving port, the sails are retracted, and the propellers are rotated to propel the vessel using the electric power (*) obtained under high winds.
*The power is stored in the battery during high winds.

Hydrogen generated onboard is gas condition. To convert hydrogen to liquid hydrogen, for example, requires tremendous energy for its conversion into a low temperature of minus 253°C. This also requires high level of safety measures. It is very important to find an efficient, economical, and safe way to store and transport hydrogen created by offshore wind power.

MCH, one of the hydrogen carriers, has the following features.
(1) Easy to handle because it is liquid at ambient temperature and pressure.
(2) Efficient and safe for storage and transportation of hydrogen.
(3) Current gasoline infrastructure can be used for it.

As Wind Hunter approaches a harbor, the vessel folds down the sails and navigates using propulsion propellers.

In the following slides, you can see how the lines are connected to the hull with the support of several drones that fly off from inside the vessel after the vessel has docked, and then MCH is discharged.

After the discharging operation is completed, the vessel is replenished with toluene and the vessel is once again ready to set sail on the next voyage.

WIND HUNTER an option “unmanned solution” in the future, can be sail and supply energy not only to nearby ports in large cities but also to rural areas and remote islands, taking advantage of the ship as a mobility advantage. This technology enables the production and supply of hydrogen using ships at locations where hydrogen is in demand.

MOL aims create hydrogen supply chains to employ such technologies and would need further collaborations with various parties and stakeholders to achieve strong enough for the future.

From Imagination to Creation, MOL is taking on the challenge of realizing WIND HUNTER.