MOL: Japan’s first LNG-powered ferry enters service

Japan’s first LNG-powered ferry, Sunflower Kurenai, has entered service on the Osaka-Beppu route, according to shipping giant MOL.

Sunflower Kurenai, owned by MOL and operated by its group company Ferry Sunflower, has started serving the route between Sunflower Ferry Terminal and Beppu International Tourist Port as a replacement for the ferry Sunflower Ivory on January 13.

Compared to earlier ferries, the new ferry offers greater transport capacity and convenience for both cargo and passenger transport, MOL said.

In freight transportation, it has greater capacity to load trucks and provides a larger, more comfortable room for truck drivers, the firm said.

This is Japan’s first ferry to adopt a high-performance dual-fuel engine, which can run on both LNG and heavy fuel oil.

MOL expects the use of LNG fuel to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by about 25 percent, and sulfur oxide (SOx) by virtually 100 percent.

In December, MOL completed a bunkering operation with the LNG-fueled ferry to prepare it for trial operation ahead of the launch of the vessel’s commercial service in January.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, built both Sunflower Kurenai and its sister vessel Sunflower Murasaki.

MOL’s firm Ferry Sunflower will use both of these vessels on its Osaka-Beppu route and the second ship is expected to enter service in April.

Besides these ships, MOL ordered two more LNG-powered ferries at compatriot shipbuilder Naikai Zosen.

These 199.4 meters long LNG-powered ferries will join its unit MOL Ferry in 2025 and will replace two ships that MOL Ferry currently operates on the Oarai-Tomakomai route.

Most Popular

Woodside terminates Commonwealth LNG SPA

Australian LNG player Woodside has terminated its two LNG sale and purchase agreements with US LNG terminal developer Commonwealth LNG.

Germany, Egypt seal FSRU charter deal

Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has signed a deal with Egypt's state-owned EGAS to charter the 174,000-cbm FSRU Energos Power.

Energy Transfer seals Lake Charles LNG supply deals

Texas-based Energy Transfer has signed new supply deals for its planned Lake Charles LNG export facility in Louisiana as it works to take a final investment decision by the end of this year, according to its management.

More News Like This

ONE plans LNG-powered containership order

Ocean Network Express (ONE), a joint venture of Japan's NYK, MOL, and K Line is eyeing an order for LNG dual-fuel container vessels, according to shipbuilding sources.

MOL’s LNG fleet continues to expand

MOL's large fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers expanded to 107 vessels as of the end of March this year.

MOL’s LNG-powered bulker to start work with JFE Steel

MOL's LNG-powered bulk carrier, Verde Heraldo, is ready to start working for Japanese steel manufacturer JFE Steel under a charter deal.

MOL inks deal with Tokyo Gas for wind-assisted LNG carrier

Japan's shipping giant MOL has joined forces with a unit of compatriot city gas supplier and LNG importer Tokyo Gas on an LNG carrier equipped with wind-assisted ship propulsion systems.