On June 16, Korean Register (KR) participated in South Korea’s first onshore demonstration of wing sail technology, a wind-assisted propulsion device designed to reduce GHG emissions from ships. The demonstration featured a 30-meter-tall, 10-meter-wide wing sail equipped with dual auxiliary wings, developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to maximize thrust.

The demonstration was part of a national R&D program funded by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. KR leads a consortium of 13 organizations, including HD Hyundai Marine Solution, Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and HMM, in developing integrated ship decarbonization systems and spearheading industry standards through technical validation and certification of new technologies.

Following the successful onshore trial, the wing sail is scheduled to be installed on an MR-class tanker operated by HMM in 2026, with full-scale sea trials to follow. The project aims to accelerate the commercial adoption of wind-assisted propulsion technologies.

KR reaffirmed its commitment to supporting decarbonization efforts across the maritime industry by advancing green technologies and helping shipping companies develop effective environmental strategies.