MOL, partners trial bio-LNG as marine fuel in Japan

Shipping major Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and six other companies have successfully completed a trial using liquefied bio-methane (LBM) or bio-LNG derived from cattle manure as a marine fuel on the domestic LNG-fuelled vessel Ise Mirai, MOL announced on June 21.

The companies involved in the project are MOL, Air Water, Techno Chubu Company, Kyoudou Kaiun Co., MOL Coastal Shipping, Cenergy Co., and IHI Power Systems Co.

The trial was conducted based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between MOL and Air Water in February 2023, with the cooperation of other parties involved. Jera acted as the shipper, Techno Chubu as the carrier, Kyoudou Kaiun as the operator/shipowner (jointly with Techno Chubu and MOL Coastal Shipping), Cenergy for truck transport and bunkering operation, and IHI Power Systems as the engine manufacturer.

During the trial, Air Water supplied LBM produced from cattle manure in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido, which was part of a technology development and demonstration project adopted by Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

MOL said that the trial confirmed that LBM can be transported through the existing domestic LNG supply chain, and truck-to-ship bunkering of LBM can be completed using existing LNG tank trucks.