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MOL and partners to build, operate Japan’s first methanol-fuelled coastal tanker

24 Mar 2023

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), MOL Coastal Shipping, Ltd., Tabuchi Kaiun Co., Ltd., Niihama Kaiun Co., Ltd., Murakami Hide Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and Hanshin Diesel Works, Ltd. on Thursday (23 March) announced the decision to build a methanol-fuelled coastal tanker. 

The six companies have long been pursuing a strategic alliance to develop a coastal tanker with a methanol-fuelled engine.

The vessel will be jointly owned by MOL Coastal Shipping, Tabuchi Kaiun, and Niihama Kaiun. On 28 December 2022, the three companies signed a shipbuilding contract with Murakami Hide Shipbuilding. 

The vessel will be built at Kanasashi Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., part of the Murakami Hide Shipbuilding Group, and is slated for delivery in December 2024.

It will be bareboat chartered to Niihama Shipping through the three shipowning companies, and then time-chartered to MOL Coastal Shipping through Tabuchi Kaiun.

MOL Coastal Shipping will sign a time charter contract with Mitsubishi Corporation, and the vessel will be engaged in domestic methanol transport from the time of delivery.

Based on the strategic alliance, MOL will provide technical support for the development of the vessel and further promote and develop this strategic alliance, while Hanshin Diesel Works will develop a methanol-fuelled engine.

 

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd
Published: 24 March, 2023

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