Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Started joint study on the use of liquefied biomethane as ship fuel – For trial use on MOL Group LNG-fueled ships –
Lines, Ltd. (President: Tsuyoshi Hashimoto, Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, hereinafter “MOL”) and Air Water Inc. (Chairman and CEO: Kikuo Toyoda, Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Osaka, hereinafter “Air Water”) , signed a memorandum of understanding on joint studies on the experimental use of liquefied biomethane (LBM) (Note 1) derived from livestock manure on LNG-fueled ships.
In this joint study, under the LBM technology development and demonstration project (Note 2) that Air Water has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment to promote, LBM produced from livestock manure in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido will be manufactured by MOL Group’s coastal LNG-fueled vessel. Both companies will confirm that existing facilities on both land and ship can be transported, supplied, and used without problems, with the aim of using it in the first half of fiscal 2023. The use of LBM as marine fuel will be the first attempt in Japan.
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MOL is promoting low-carbon and decarbonization to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and is considering the introduction of ammonia and hydrogen fuel as a strategy for “introducing clean alternative fuels.” On the other hand, since the introduction of LNG-fueled ships is an effective means of achieving a low-carbon society at an early stage, Mitsui O.S.K. .
LNG fuel can be expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 25% compared to conventional fuel oil, but further CO2 reduction effects can be achieved by partially using LBM, which is
carbon-neutral energy. can be desired. In addition, since the main component of both LBM and LNG is methane, the existing LNG supply chain related to transportation and consumption can be utilized, so it can be an effective means of decarbonizing ship operations.
Air Water is working to build a decarbonized solution and a
sustainable local recycling-type energy supply model. In October 2022, we will operate the first LBM manufacturing plant in Japan, an LNG alternative fuel that effectively utilizes unused biogas derived from livestock manure, and are promoting the supply of fuel to food factories and LNG trucks.
Going forward, MOL and Air Water will contribute to the low and decarbonization of marine transportation by leveraging each other’s knowledge toward the use of LBM as ship fuel.
(Note 1) LBM is produced by recovering unused biogas generated from biogas plants owned by dairy farmers, separating and refining its main component, methane, and liquefying it at approximately -160°C. By liquefying methane, the volume can be compressed to 1/600, making it possible to transport a large amount of methane at once. In addition, because livestock manure is used as raw material, it is a
carbon-neutral domestic energy source.
(Note 2) A guided technology development and demonstration project to strengthen measures to reduce CO2 emissions “Demonstration project for a liquefied biomethane regional supply chain model that utilizes unused biogas”
https://www.env.go.jp/press/2021/04/16/files/jp/116119.pdf
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