Mitsui OSK Lines is heading up a consortium of six companies to build Japan’s first methanol-fuelled coastal tanker.
The newbuilding contract for the 570-gt ship has been signed with Murakami Hide Shipbuilding.
MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun and Niihama Kaiun will jointly own the ship.
Murakami will build the ship at its group company Kanasashi Heavy Industries for delivery in 2024.
The tanker will be bareboat-chartered to Niihama Shipping and then time-chartered to MOL Coastal Shipping through Tabuchi Kaiun.
Finally, it will be employed in the coastal transportation of methanol for Mitsubishi Corp.
MOL will provide technical support and Hanshin Diesel Works will develop a methanol engine.
By using methanol as a fuel, the vessel will reduce SOx emissions by 99%, particulate matter by 95%, NOx emissions by 80% and CO2 emissions by 15%.
MOL already operates five oceangoing vessels fuelled by methanol but this project represents the first time the fuel has been used on a coastal tanker in Japan.
The technical development of the project was part funded by grants from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
“The six alliance partners will bring together their respective strengths in technology, know-how and networks to realise a low-carbon, decarbonised society,” the grouping said in a statement announcing the deal.
