Korean Register of Shipping (KR) has announced the successful delivery of the low-carbon sailing cargo ship ‘Juren Ae’ to the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC).
Built under KR class in South Korea, this innovative vessel is considered to mark a significant milestone in sustainable maritime transport.
Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the Juren Ae is a 48m-long, 300 dwt supply vessel, the result of a collaborative effort led by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) through its project ‘Transition to Low-Carbon Sea Transport in the Republic of the Marshall Islands’ for the German Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) since 2017. Key partners of the project include KR, the University of Applied Sciences Emden-Leer in Germany, MISC, Asia Shipbuilding Co, and naval design company Kostec of Busan.
Developed at the maritime campus of Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences and constructed at Asia Shipbuilding in Geoje City, Korea, the vessel boasts several innovative features. At its core is a partially-automated sail system designed by German naval designer HSVA, adapted from a traditional Indonesian sail design. This ‘Indosail’ rig, complemented by installed PV units and a hybrid drive system, is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by around 80% compared to similar-sized ships.
The vessel’s hybrid power system allows for versatile operation. The ship’s propeller and engine are used for slow-speed manoeuvring, while the propeller can function as a turbine to generate electricity via a hybrid gearbox and generator. This enables the Juren Ae to achieve a service speed of about 12 knots under sail and around 7 knots with the auxiliary diesel engine.
Further enhancing its eco-friendly credentials, the ship features a battery bank charged by excess wind power, which powers the vessel’s electric drive during low-speed operations.
Michael Suhr, KR Regional Director North Europe said: “The Juren Ae represents a pivotal moment in maritime innovation. This pioneering ship serves as a beacon for a low-carbon future in maritime transport, showcasing the viability and efficiency of sustainable technologies in the maritime industry.”
The Juren Ae will be operated by MISC for domestic sea transportation within the Marshall Islands and the broader Pacific Region. This project not only offers a business case for sail-driven cargo vessels, particularly in regions with high fuel prices like the Pacific islands, but also aims to inspire other Pacific Island states to adopt low-carbon technologies and concepts for maritime transport.
As the classification society for this ground-breaking vessel, KR says it is proud to contribute to the advancement of sustainable shipping and looks forward to supporting similar innovative projects in the future.
Image: ‘Juren Ae’ sailing vessel, classed by KR and now in service in the Marshall Islands (credit: GIZ LCST)
