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MOL Techno-Trade Successfully Completed First Installation of “VentoFoil” Wind Assisted Propulsion Unit on a New building Vessel in Japan – Daishin Shipping, MOL Drybulk, and MOL Techno-Trade Collaborate to Pioneer Wind Propulsion –

January 30, 2025

MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.

 

MOL Techno-Trade Successfully Completed First Installation of “VentoFoil” Wind Assisted Propulsion Unit on a New building Vessel in Japan

– Daishin Shipping, MOL Drybulk, and MOL Techno-Trade Collaborate to Pioneer Wind Propulsion –

 

MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. (President: Yoshikazu Kawagoe; Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) today announced the successful completion of the first installation of ECONOWIND B.V.’s (CEO: Frank Nieuwenhuis; Headquarters: Amsterdam, hereinafter “ECONOWIND”) “VentoFoil” wind assisted propulsion unit on a newbuilding vessel in Japan.  The multi-purpose vessel “PRIMA VERDE” (hereinafter “the Vessel”), owned by Daishin Shipping Co., Ltd. (President: Takayoshi Manabe; Headquarters: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture; hereinafter “Daishin Shipping”), was built at Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. (President: Takashi Nakabe; Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture) and delivered on January 30, 2025.

 

The installation of the wind assisted propulsion units was a collaborative effort between Daishin Shipping, MOL Drybulk, Ltd. (President: Koichi Hirata; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter “MOL Drybulk”), and MOL Techno-Trade, which served as the sales agent for ECONOWIND.  In this role, MOL Techno-Trade successfully delivered and installed the “VentoFoil”, playing a key role in bringing this innovative technology to the Japanese market, and contributed to this pioneering project.

 

The Vessel is equipped with two “VentoFoil” units. “VentoFoil” is a wind assisted propulsion device known as a suction-wing that utilizes boundary layer suction. By sucking the slow-moving air layer (boundary layer) that forms on the surface of the wing, the airflow is streamlined, reducing resistance and improving propulsion efficiency. It is characterized by its ability to be easily installed and relocated with minimal impact on existing deck space.

 

The Mechanism of VentoFoil

On the Vessel’s route, it is expected to achieve a fuel-saving and GHG-reduction effect of approximately 2%*. This will strongly support the efforts of Daishin Shipping and MOL Drybulk to reduce their environmental impact. Furthermore, with this supply as a starting point, MOL Techno-Trade will accelerate the adoption of wind propulsion devices in the domestic market.

*Fuel saving and GHG reduction effects vary depending on route conditions.

 

PRIMA VERDE with VentoFoil

 

 

Vessel Particulars
Length Overall / Breadth: 129.66 meters / 23.6 meters
Deadweight (on summer load line): 17,611 tons
Flag: Liberia

 

About MOL Techno-Trade’s Initiatives
MOL Techno-Trade will steadily implement its new medium-term management plan, “Techno-Trade “NEXT 10”,” and contribute to the further development of the maritime industry by providing environmentally friendly products and services. This effort will help realize the Group’s vision outlined in the MOL Group’s management plan, “BLUE ACTION 2035.” The supply of “VentoFoil” is part of this initiative, and MOL Techno-Trade will continue to promote introducing innovative technologies.

 

Contact Information
MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
PBCF & Wind Propulsion Department
TEL: +81-3-6367-5380
Mail: moltech-pbcf@molgroup.com

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