World's first large, partially wind-powered cargo ship sails from Japan to Australia

Mitsui OSK Lines created a new coal carrier that uses both fuel and wind power to move, thanks to its innovative Wind Challenger system. The ship is called the Shofu Maru. It is big enough to transport more than 80,000 tons of coal.

The Wind Challenger system is an innovative way to harness the power of the wind. It has a telescopic fiberglass sail that can extend up to 55 meters (180 feet).

On its journey from Japan to Australia, the Shofu Maru was projected to reduce fuel consumption by 5%. That might not appear like much, but it's equivalent to 25,000 liters (6,605 gallons) of fuel. Given that vast cargo ships such as this one burn hundreds of thousands of liters regularly on these routes, this is a considerable reduction.

The Wind Challenger could potentially reduce fuel consumption by 8% on a route from Japan to the U.S., thanks to more favorable wind conditions in the northern hemisphere.

Recently, Japanese and Australian officials signed a cooperation agreement that includes measures to achieve the 2050 net-zero target. The wind-powered Shofu Maru will assist them in reaching this ambitious goal.

Source: ABC News