Shofu Maru

Shofu Maru — Is it something like Tofu, queried a friend?

He was surprised when I mentioned that it was the name of a vessel — a bulk carrier which is very much in the news of late. Oh! Has the vessel been captured by pirates or had a mishap was the next query. I laughed and asked him a counter question — Have you read my blog of January 2022 titled Back to where it all began.. ? I had mentioned about how ships of all sizes contribute 3% to the world’s GHG emissions. The IMO had taken serious note of this and with a vision to reduce GHG emissions by 50% in 2050, as compared to 2008, brought out the Poseidon Principles for Marine insurance to which there were voluntary signatories subscribing to the IMO vision. This involved Assessment, Accountability, Enforcement and Transparency in data sharing. The larger issue however was using less-polluting green fuel in vessels instead of fossil fuels. One alternative being considered was Wind energy i.e., ships with sails. Michelin & MOL were working on coming out with cargo carrier vessels in 2022, the former using inflatable sails & the latter, rigid telescopic sails.

First to the finish line is MOL with its bulk carrier Shofu Maru which has been commissioned and sailed from Japan and reached Newcastle on 25th October 2022. Shofu Maru is the world’s first vessel equipped with ‘Wind Challenger, a telescopic hard sail that harnesses wind power to propel the vessel forward.

Shofu Maru has a single sail on the prow, though vessels are being contemplated with multiple sails as well. The sail on this vessel is made of Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and can be opened up into 4 tiers. The size of the expanded sail? Height of 53 meters and width of 15 meters, totally computer-controlled to open up, shrink, change directions and so on.

It is projected that on a voyage from Japan to Australia, Shofu Maru will have reduced GHG emissions by 5% and in case of a voyage from Japan to the west coast of North America by 8%. Sounds too small, does it not? Wind energy is green so how come there are GHG emissions still? Well, make no mistake about it — Shofu Maru is a Motor-assisted Wind -power vessel or a hybrid. It runs on wind power when the circumstances are favorable (there are fair winds to maintain speed, the sail is opened -up) but when wind is down or the vessel has to speed up further or traverse rough weather, the sail is brought down, and the vessel moves on conventional fossil fuel. It must also be noted that apart from lesser GHG emissions, the fuel costs on operation this vessel on these routes would also be lower, providing substantial savings to the owners. The vessel owned by MOL and was built in the Oshima shipyard was delivered on October 7, 2022. However, the development of the Wind Challenger sail began way back in 2009 when a clutch of Japanese shipping companies and the Oshima shipyard collaborated with the University of Tokyo in designing it.

Shofu Maru has been contracted by MOL to Tohoku Electric Power Company. Purpose? Here is the biggest paradox — for transporting coal exclusively for Tohoku Power from Australia, North America & Indonesia. Green energy used for transporting possibly the most polluting fossil fuel. Looks like coal will hold its own for quite some more time to come. Last information is that, the vessel has loaded around 80,000 MT of coal and is on the voyage back to Japan.

NOTE: All photos are displayed for educative purposes only and are from the respective companies’ websites