Trio partners to develop wind-assisted MR tanker

Greek vessel operator Capital Ship Management, South Korean shipbuilder K Shipbuilding and classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) have joined forces to develop a wind-assisted 50,000 dwt medium range (MR) tanker.

IMAGE: An MR tanker equipped with WAPS. ENGINE via ChatGPT

The project will evaluate how wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS) can be integrated into a commercially viable MR tanker design without compromising cargo capacity or operational flexibility.

Although WAPS has seen growing adoption on bulk carriers and other specialised vessel types, its use on MR tankers remains largely untapped, according to LR.

The partners will combine Capital Ship Management's operational experience, K Shipbuilding's tanker design and construction expertise, and LR's technical and regulatory capabilities to overcome the engineering and compliance challenges of installing WAPS on tankers.

The collaboration will involve technical studies, design refinement and regulatory assessments, paving the way for future Approval in Principle (AiP) and supporting the commercial deployment of wind-assisted MR tankers.

By Tuhin Roy

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