Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has ordered one more ultramax bulk carrier newbuilding using hard sail energy efficiency technology.

The newbuilding will become the second to be committed to a wood pellet freight contract for US sustainable energy company Enviva.

The 62,000-dwt ship will be owned and operated through subsidiary MOL Dry Bulk which has placed the order at Oshima Shipbuilding for delivery in 2024.

The first ship for Enviva was ordered by MOL Dry Bulk at Oshima back in October this year.

Both newbuildings will use so-called Wind Challenger technology, a telescoping hard sail that converts wind energy into a propulsive force.

MOL estimates that the sail will reduce fuel consumption by between 5%-8%.

MOL is considering adding energy-saving rotor sails as an auxiliary wind propulsion system to the ships. The technology has been developed by UK company Anemoi Marine Technologies.

MOL estimates the combined Wind Challenger and Rotor Sail technology could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by an average of 20%.

MOL is targeting net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The first telescopic hard sail has been installed a 100,000-dwt bulker which is being constructed by MOL at Oshima Shipbuilding for delivery in October. The ship will operate under a contract for Tohoku Electric Power.

Energy efficiency

Compatriot NYK Line has also unveiled plans to upgrade the energy efficiency of its 240-ship fleet of capesize, panamax and wood chip carriers.

NYK told Japanese media it is currently assessing the energy efficiency of its dry bulk fleet before deciding on the most suitable efficiency measures.

These are likely to include adopting energy efficiency technology, or replacing existing bulk carriers with more efficient newbuildings.

NYK, along with MOL and K Line, is currently undertaking an extensive LNG-powered capesize newbuilding programme.