MOL to supply LNG to Japex and Hokkaido

MITSUI O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) signed an agreement with Japan Petroleum Exploration Co. Ltd. (Japex) and Hokkaido Gas Co. Ltd. (Hokkaido Gas) for the supply of liquified natural gas (LNG) fuel to two of its newly built LNG-fueled ferries.

The ferries are operated by the MOL Group company, MOL Ferry. Each is berthed at the port of the Oarai-Tomakomai route.

The LNG fuel supply is scheduled to start in 2025 when the ferries will enter service.

Japex will supply LNG fuel to the ferries at the Port of Oarai in Ibaraki Prefecture and Hokkaido Gas will supply them at the Port of Tomakomai in Hokkaido through the Truck Ship method.

The LNG supply system uses a skid that connects the vessel to four tanker trucks simultaneously, and speeds up the bunkering process, allowing the ferries to take on sufficient fuel even during their limited time in berth.

LNG fuel reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 25 percent compared to conventional fuel oil and is currently a viable measure for low carbonization of marine fuel. The four companies will lead the promotion of LNG as marine fuel in Japan and contribute to reducing the environmental impact.Under the “Mol Group Environmental Vision 2.1,” the group is working to reduce and decarbonize ship fuel to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.