Awarded the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Prize

At the FY2025 National Commendation for Invention, organized by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII),  “Invention of a telescopically extendable and retractable rigid wing sail for wind-assisted ships” (Patent No. 5318008) was selected to receive the prestigious WIPO Award.

This invention was jointly developed by Dr. Kazuyuki Ouchi, President and CEO of our company, and Professor Kiyoshi Uzawa of Kanazawa Institute of Technology.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a UN agency, presents this award to inventions recognized for their excellence, integrity, and global credibility.

The award ceremony will be held on July 1 at The Okura Tokyo, in the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Hanako of Hitachi.

The details of the WIPO Award are as follows:

1. Award-Winning Theme

   “Invention of a telescopically extendable and retractable rigid wing sail for wind-assisted ships”

2. Subject Patent

   Japanese Patent No. 5318008

3. Award Recipients

   Inventors:

    Kazuyuki Ouchi  
President and CEO, Ouchi Ocean Consultant Co., Ltd.

    Kiyoshi Uzawa
Director, Center for Advanced Research and Development of Innovative Composite Materials, Kanazawa Institute of Technology

Recipients of the Award for Excellence in the Implementation of the Invention:

Tsuyoshi Hashimoto
President and CEO, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Makoto Yamaguchi
President and Representative Director, Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

4. Features of the Award-Winning Technology

         This invention relates to a rigid wing sail equipped on a wind-assisted propulsion ship, which can be adjusted in height by extending or retracting the sail vertically. By utilizing a telescopic mechanism to expand and contract the entire sail, it allows for the adjustment of the sail area and the position of the aerodynamic center. This enables control of the moment acting on the base of the mast.

5. Deployment Cases

         The system has already been installed on two completed bulk carriers, with plans for installation on an additional seven bulk carriers and two LNG carriers. A total of 25 ships are planned to be equipped by 2030, and 80 ships by 2035.