Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) is teaming up with three other Japanese companies to build Japan’s first domestic methanol-fuelled tanker.
Few details have been released about the ship’s dimensions and design, but the intention is to build the ship by 2024, the plans backers said.
In addition to MOL, the participants in the project are Murakami Hide Shipbuilding, ship management company Tabuchi Kaiun and engine builder Hanshin Diesel.
The vessel development project will receive public funding through the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
Methanol can reduce emissions of sulphur oxide by up to 99%, particulate matter by up to 95%, nitrogen oxide by up to 80%, and carbon dioxide by up to 15%, compared to conventionally-fuelled vessels, said MOL.
“Methanol has outstanding properties for use as a fuel, as it is liquid at normal temperatures and normal air pressure,” the shipowner added.
MOL already has some experience of operating methanol-fuelled vessels, four 50,000-dwt methanol carriers on charter to Waterfront Shipping, but said this will be the first domestic methanol-fueled ship.
Hansin Diesel claims to be the first company in the world to develop a methanol-fuelled low-speed four-stroke diesel engine for marine use.
There is growing shipping industry acceptance of methanol as an alternative to conventional bunker fuels, especially within the container ship market.
The fuel type received a major boost in 2021 when Maersk ordered a series of 16,000-teu methanol-fuelled container ships at South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Just recently, Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation (CSET) and state-owned Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) unveiled a design for a VLCC that will be powered by green methanol.
The methanol dual-fuel design is believed to be an industry first for a very large crude tanker and has received approval in principle from the China Classification Society (CCS) and DNV.
