First methanol-fuelled coastal tanker to be built in Japan

Mitsui OSK Lines, MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, Niihama Kaiun, Murakami Hide Shipbuilding, and Hanshin Diesel Works will a build a methanol-fuelled coastal tanker.

The 65. 5 m long vessel will be jointly owned by MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, and Niihama Kaiun. The vessel will be built at Kanasashi Heavy Industries, part of the Murakami Hide Shipbuilding Group, and is slated for delivery in December 2024. It will be bareboat chartered to Niihama Shipping through the three shipowning companies, and then time-chartered to MOL Coastal Shipping through Tabuchi Kaiun. MOL Coastal Shipping will sign a time charter contract with Mitsubishi Corporation, and the vessel will be engaged in domestic methanol transport from the time of delivery.

Methanol fuel can be supplied and bunkered at about 130 major ports worldwide, according to MOL, which already operates five methanol tankers.