LR appraises HD HHI’s four-sail Wind Challenger LNG carrier design

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Design Appraisal to an LNG carrier concept developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and designed to accommodate four of MOL’s Wind Challenger sails.

The approval marks the latest stage in the project, which received Approval in Principle (AiP) from LR at Gastech 2025. The new Design Appraisal was presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok.

Fore-accommodation design creates space for four sails

A key feature of the LNG carrier is the position of its accommodation block and bridge at the bow.

Moving these structures forward creates additional space across the middle and rear sections of the deck. This allows the vessel to accommodate four Wind Challenger hard sails while maintaining navigational and operational requirements.

The arrangement also provides greater flexibility in the size and positioning of the sails, according to the project partners.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) developed the Wind Challenger system to use wind power as an additional source of propulsion. The technology is designed to reduce engine power requirements and fuel consumption when wind conditions allow.

LR completes technical assessment

The project brings together LR, HD HHI, MOL and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.

As part of the development work, the partners assessed several areas related to installing wind-assisted propulsion on an LNG carrier. These included navigational visibility, vessel stability and the structural loads created by the hard sails.

They also examined the integration of emergency shutdown systems and carried out a hazard identification study and risk assessments.

Following the review, LR confirmed that the concept complies with its requirements for Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems notation.

Project moves beyond 2025 AiP

The Design Appraisal represents a further step in the development of the concept following the AiP issued in 2025.

“This Design Appraisal represents an important milestone in advancing the practical application of wind-assisted propulsion for LNG carriers,” said Yoshihiko Sugimoto, Executive Officer and CTO of MOL.

He said the project has demonstrated that a fore-accommodation LNG carrier designed for four Wind Challenger sails can meet safety, operational and regulatory requirements.

The partners describe the concept as the world’s first fore-accommodation LNG carrier equipped with the Wind Challenger system.

No vessel order or construction schedule has been announced for the design.

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