Idemitsu and Kanematsu Launch Japan’s First Bio-Blended Fuel Supply for Ocean-Going Vessels

Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. has partnered with Kanematsu Corp. to begin supplying bio-blended marine fuel to ocean-going vessels, becoming the first Japanese oil refiner to offer this type of fuel at commercial scale. The initiative aligns with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping sector as international regulations tighten.

Launch of a New Biofuel Supply System

The partnership will use marine shipping facilities operated by Kanematsu Yuso Co. Ltd., a Kanematsu Group company, to establish a supply chain for bio-blended fuel— produced by mixing heavy oil with fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Idemitsu has already started supplying the fuel to shipping companies, including Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. The company plans to supply around 5,000 tonnes of bio-blended fuel by March 2026, covering both coastal and ocean-going vessels.

Industry Context

The rollout comes as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) pushes for lower-emission marine fuels to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. Japanese companies are increasingly testing biofuel options to support compliance and reduce carbon footprints in commercial shipping.

Results of Operational Trials

Idemitsu and its partners previously conducted operational trials on coastal vessels in Hokkaido between 2023 and 2024 to assess the commercial viability of biofuel blends. The fuel is estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by about 20 percent compared with conventional marine fuel.

Hokkaido’s low temperatures typically cause marine fuel to solidify more easily, but the trials confirmed that vessels using bio-blended fuel operated stably without requiring modifications to onboard equipment or operating conditions.

Expansion to Full Commercial Supply

Following the successful trials, the companies will begin supplying bio-blended fuel using the marine facilities at Kanematsu Oil Tank’s Kokura Oil Tank Yard in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The expanded supply is aimed at supporting both domestic coastal shipping and international vessel operations.