Japan's MOL takes delivery of LNG-powered coal carrier

Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on November 14 announced the delivery of a new Panamax coal carrier that is powered by LNG as its main fuel.

The ship, named the Reimei, will be operated by MOL to transport coal from overseas to Kyushu Electric Power's coal-fired thermal power plants in Japan.

Compared to conventional marine fuel, LNG can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) by about 30%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by about 100%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 80%, the companies said.

The Reimei departed from Imari Port on November 14 for shore-to-ship bunkering at Tobata Port in Fukuoka Prefecture on November 15, where it will receive fuel directly from the onshore LNG shipping terminal.

In the future, ship-to-ship bunkering from an LNG bunkering vessel can also be adopted as a way for the vessel to receive fuel, the companies said.