MOL announces eco-friendly car carrier

Mitsui OSK Lines has formed the concept for its next-generation vessels, which will be technically practical in the near future, by building on and refining technologies it has already developed and adopted.

The first is a next-generation, environment-friendly car carrier.

MOL continues to work on concepts for other next-generation vessels such as ferries, bulkships, tankers, and containerships.

MOL has named the first concept: Car Carrier ISHIN-I, which stands for "Innovations in Sustainability backed by Historically proven, INtegrated technologies".

The two main features of ISHIN-1 are:

In port, and during loading and unloading:

• Achieves zero CO₂ emissions
• Further develops the use of renewable energy for conventional car carriers
• Realises zero emission goal by adopting large-capacity solar-power panels and rechargeable batteries

Under way:

• Reduces CO₂ emissions by 50% ¹
• Adopts multiple new technologies to greatly reduce the vessel's burden on the environment.

¹ Compared with conventional vessels (PCTC with a capacity of 6,400 standard passenger cars), the ship achieves a 41% reduction (per unit). On that assumption, when the need for larger vessels arises in the future, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by 50%.

The main features of the technologies include the use of renewable energy, optimisation of propulsion efficiency, advanced wind resistance-reducing design, reduction of friction drag, optimum voyage support system, optimisation of engine system, optimisation of hull design, and a larger hull compatible with the new Panama Canal.