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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the completion of the concept for its third in a series of next-generation vessels, which the company says will be "technically practical" in the near future.

The latest concept is for an environment-friendly, large-scale iron ore carrier called the ISHIN-III that MOL says will play a key role in future resource transport.

MOL already operates the very large iron ore carrier Brasil Maru that offers a high level of environmental performance thanks to its pioneering transport concept and innovative technologies.

Delivered in December 2007, the 320,000-DWT Brasil Maru (Length: 340m; width: 60m; main engine output: 23,000kW) is one of the world's largest iron ore carriers, and was named the Ship of the Year 2007 by The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers for its energy-saving, safety, and high technical performance.

The ISHIN-III, which makes full use of the characteristics of that vessel class, is a highly viable concept, aiming to further reduce MOL's environmental burden by maximizing the use of technologies the company has developed and adopted.

ISHIN-III's two main features are as follows:

(1) Waste heat energy recovery to assist propulsion

The new concept seeks to maximize waste heat energy recovery with more advanced technology. A large amount of heat energy can be recovered from the large main engine's exhaust gas, converted to electricity, and utilized to provide additional propulsion, significantly reducing the vessel's environmental burden. This technology can also be applied to large main engines installed on tankers and containerships.

(2) Reduction of CO2 emissions even at low speeds

The combination of a turbocharger that can operate at high efficiency even at low rpm and an electronically-controlled main engine reduces CO2 emissions even during a low-speed voyage.

By introducing (1) and (2) and adopting a combination of new technologies, MOL says CO2 emissions will be reduced by 30%.

According to MOL, overall CO2 emissions can be reduced by over 50% when the business model for a "Wind Challenger Project" is established. The project aims to develop a wind-driven vessel and is led by Tokyo University, MOL, shipbuilder, material maker, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, and other ocean shipping companies.

MOL's ISHIN concept vessels stand for "Innovations in Sustainability backed by Historically proven, INtegrated technologies." In addition, ishin is the Japanese word for a complete revitalization or reform.