Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), led by President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto, today announced a significant achievement in sustainable shipping. The company’s “Invention of a rigid wing sail with height adjustment for wind-assisted propulsion ships” was honored with the prestigious WIPO Prize at the 2025 National Commendation for Invention, hosted by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII). In addition to the WIPO Prize, MOL also received the Invention Implementation Achievement Award, reports MOL.
Groundbreaking Invention
A groundbreaking invention in maritime technology —a hard sail with adjustable height through extension and retraction —has been recognized with an upcoming award. This innovative hard sail harnesses wind power to propel ships, serving as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels. Its adoption is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by achieving substantial fuel savings.
This hard sail technology was first installed on the 100,000-ton deadweight (DWT) coal carrier Shofu Maru in October 2022. To date, the vessel has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, achieving average fuel savings of approximately 5% to 8% per voyage, and impressively, up to 17% per day.
The award ceremony for this invention is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, and will be held in the esteemed presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Japan.
The MOL Group, through the safe management and operational efficiency of its environmentally friendly fleet, combined with its “Wind Challenger” project, which incorporates this invention, aims to contribute not only to the reduction of GHG emissions from its own operations but also to the broader decarbonization of society as a whole.
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Source: MOL
