Japan’s MOL, Tomakomai Port Authority, and Japex, have completed an LNG bunkering trial in Tomakomai, located on Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.
The trial which took place in the port on September 8 involved the LNG-fueled tugboat Ishin, owned by MOL and operated by its company Nihon Tug-Boat, according to a statement by MOL.
MOL’s tug received LNG via a truck-to-ship operation.
Ishin is currently engaged in escorting large freighters and other vessels during port calling in/out operations, mainly in Port of Sakai-Semboku, Osaka.
This is the third LNG bunkering trial for the tug, following earlier trials in Kobe and Nagoya.
The tug also also received for the first time carbon-neutral LNG via a truck-to-ship method at the wharf in Sakai Senboku Port in September last year.
Following the successful trial in the Tomakomai port, Japex said in a separate statement that it would make effort to build an LNG bunkering base at the port.
From 2019 to 2020, Tomakomai Port Authority and Japex joined forces for the “Tomakomai Port LNG Bunkering Study Group” to study LNG bunkering in the port.
“In addition, we aim to make contributions to promote building of LNG bunkering bases in other ports in Japan and abroad,” Japex said.