Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Air Water Inc. announced the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly study the trial use of bio-LNG derived from cattle manure, in LNG-powered vessels. This joint study will be conducted as part of a bio-LNG technology research and development program approved by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and promoted by Air Water.
Biomethane will be produced from cattle manure in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido by Air Water. The two companies will demonstrate that bio-LNG can be transported, supplied, and used without problems utilizing existing shore and onboard equipment. The goal is to use this renewable fuel on the MOL Group’s coastal LNG-powered vessel in the first half of FY2023. This will be the first use of bio-LNG as marine fuel in Japan.
MOL is moving towards decarbonization to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and shifting to greener alternative fuels such as hydrogen according to the strategy “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1”. On the other hand, since the implementation of LNG is an effective way to achieve low carbon emissions in this early stage, MOL is accelerating the deployment of LNG-fueled vessels while taking initiatives aimed at early introduction of the use of biomethane and synthetic-methane.
LNG fuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 25% compared to conventional fuel oil, but further reduction can be expected through the partial use of bio-LNG. In addition, bio-LNG can use the current LNG infrastructure and become an effective solution to achieve low-carbon and decarbonized ship operations.
Air Water is committed to creating decarbonization solutions and sustainable, locally circulating energy supply models. In October 2022, the company started operation of the first bio-LNG production plant in Japan. It is also working on supplying bio-LNG to food factories and LNG-powered trucks.
In the future, MOL and Air Water will contribute to the development of low-carbon and decarbonized ocean transport by leveraging each other’s knowledge and experiences in the use of bio-LNG as marine fuel.
Source: MOL/Air Water
