Japan: LNG-Powered Coal Carrier Starts Operation

Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kyuden) said Tuesday that a Panamax coal carrier that uses low-environmental-impact LNG as its main fuel was delivered and started operation on November 14.

In a naming and delivery ceremony held at the Imari Shipyard and Works of Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the new vessel was named Reimei.

The Reimei, a large LNG-fueled coal carrier, is operated by MOL to transport coal from overseas to Kyuden's coal-fired thermal power plants.

Credit: MOL

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%, MOL 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, MOIL said.

Ship name: Reimei
Ship operator: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
LOA: 234.92m
Breadth: 38.0m
DWT: 95,792MT
Delivery year: 2023
Shipyard: Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Ship registry: Liberia