Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) said it has placed an order for four LNG-powered car carriers at two compatriot yards.
MOL said on Tuesday it signed a deal with Shin Kurushima Dockyard and Nihon Shipyard to build four 7,000-unit capacity car carriers.
Moreover, the vessels will join MOL’s fleet in stages, starting in 2024.
The Japanese firm did not provide any additional information regarding the contract and the LNG-powered car carriers.
MOL says it plans to have 90 LNG-powered vessels in its fleet by 2030 as it looks to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
“In addition to the LNG-fueled vessel projects that the MOL Group has been working on, we will promote the use of LNG-fuel for car carriers, starting with this decision,” the shipping giant said.
Besides LNG, MOL is also working on biofuels while the firm continues to research the use of ammonia and other next-generation fuels, it said.
MOL has recently signed a charter deal for one newbuild LNG-powered bulk carrier with Japanese steel manufacturer JFE Steel.
In addition, it has also signed a basic deal with compatriot Kyushu Electric Power for the supply of liquefied natural gas to its two LNG-powered ferries under construction.