Samsung Heavy Industries Obtains Basic Design Certification for LNG Carrier with Wind Propulsion System Applied

Increase Propulsion Efficiency with Wind Power
Expect Carbon Emission Reduction Effects
Expand Application to Ammonia Carriers and More

Samsung Heavy Industries announced on the 20th that it has received basic design certification for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier equipped with 'wing sails.'

Wing sails are sail-shaped ship structures that generate lift through the pressure difference between the upper and lower parts of the wings, providing propulsion power as an eco-friendly auxiliary propulsion device.

Wind-assisted propulsion LNG carrier developed by Samsung Heavy Industries. Photo by Samsung Heavy Industries

The LNG carrier certified this time by the Korean Register and the Liberian flag state is characterized by the installation of wing sails, which can improve propulsion efficiency using wind power. In addition, by placing the wheelhouse at the bow, it has solved the navigation visibility issue, which has been pointed out as the biggest problem for ships equipped with wind-assisted propulsion devices.

Samsung Heavy Industries expects that installing the independently developed air resistance reduction device 'Saber Wind' along with the wing sails on ships will reduce wind resistance while utilizing wind power as propulsion energy, thereby improving fuel efficiency and effectively reducing carbon emissions.

According to the UK Department for Transport's Clean Maritime Plan, the global wind propulsion technology market is expected to grow to 3.5 trillion KRW by 2050.

Samsung Heavy Industries plans to expand the application of wind power technology to eco-friendly ships such as ammonia and carbon dioxide carriers.

Jang Haegi, Vice President and Head of Technology Development at Samsung Heavy Industries, emphasized, "Wind power, an infinite and zero-emission resource, is an important pillar contributing to carbon neutrality in the shipbuilding and shipping industry. Samsung Heavy Industries will focus more on products and technology development utilizing wind power."