World’s 1st ‘Green Steel’ Multi-Purpose Vessel Unveiled

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, (MOL) has announced the delivery of the multi-purpose vessel Prima Verde, the world’s first vessel to use green steel, an engine running exclusively on marine gas oil (MGO), and a wind-assisted propulsion system.

The vessel was delivered on January 30, 2025, at Onomichi Dockyard, Ltd. Prima Verde is operated by MOL’s group company MOL Drybulk Ltd. and is effectively owned by Daishin Shipping Co., Ltd.

The vessel, which has been painted bright green, is registered in Liberia and will transport various types of cargo, including steel products, construction machinery, heavy machinery, plants, railroad vehicles, and bulk cargoes.

The hull of Prima Verde is made using JGreeX, a green steel material supplied by JFE Steel Corporation.

According to MOL, this steel will reduce CO₂ emissions by allocating CO₂ reduction credits to optional steel materials during the steel manufacturing process.

Video Credits: MOL/YouTube

The vessel is powered by an engine from Japan Engine Corporation that runs exclusively on MGO. MOL stated that the engine has high combustion efficiency and produces lower carbon dioxide emissions during operation compared to conventional engines.

Prima Verde is also equipped with two VentoFoil wind-assisted propulsion devices from Econowind B.V., for which MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd, serves as a sales agent.

MOL reported that these wind propulsion devices are expected to reduce fuel consumption and GHG emissions by using wind energy to assist propulsion.

Prima Verde is a 17,611 dwt tween deck cargo vessel with a length of 130 meters (426 feet). The ship was launched on October 17, 2024, before its official delivery in January 2025.

The vessel was constructed at Onomichi Dockyard in Japan and will be operated by MOL Drybulk Ltd. It is part of the company’s “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2,” which aims to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

Reference: MOL

Source: Maritime Shipping News