MOL inks supply deal for Japan’s first LNG-powered ferries

Japanese shipping giant MOL said it has signed a basic deal with compatriot Kyushu Electric Power for the supply of liquefied natural gas to its two LNG-powered ferries under construction.

MOL ordered the two LNG ferries, Sunflower Kurenai and Sunflower Murasaki, at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding back in 2019. MOL’s firm Ferry Sunflower will use both these vessels, claimed to be Japan’s first LNG-powered ferries, on its Osaka-Beppu route.

According to MOL, LNG fuel supply would start around the end of 2022 upon the delivery of the ferries.

Moreover, the duo would get around 50 tons of LNG per day via truck-to-ship while docked in Beppu Port in Oita Prefecture. The truck will load at a facility owned by Kyuden’s firm Oita LNG.

To speed up the fuel supply process, the partners would connect pipes called “skid” to four tank trucks, allowing them to fuel the vessels simultaneously, MOL said.

In addtion, Niyac Corporation will transport and supply LNG to the ferries and Oita Gas will oversee safety during LNG bunkering, it said.

Meanwhile, Kyuden will sell LNG fuel to Ferry Sunflower through MOL Group company MOL Techno-Trade.

“This system will link a series of well-prepared measures from loading to transport and supply and achieve a safe and reliable supply of LNG fuel,” MOL said.

Most Popular

Posco International, Glenfarne ink Alaska LNG pact

US energy firm Glenfarne and Posco International, a unit of South Korean steel producer Posco, have signed a deal to advance a strategic partnership for the development of the Alaska LNG project. This includes initial terms for a long-term heads of agreement for LNG supply.

Monkey Island LNG pens offtake MoU

Houston-based Monkey Island LNG, the developer of a 26 mtpa liquefaction and export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with an unidentified international oil company for the offtake of LNG.

Hudong-Zhonghua gets approvals for new LNG bunkering vessel

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has received approvals from five classification societies for a 25,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel design it jointly developed with French LNG containment specialist GTT.

More News Like This

MOL gets OK for two LNG carrier designs with sails

Japan’s shipping giant MOL has secured approval from classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier designs equipped with four Wind Challenger sails.

Cosco Shipping Development, MOL seal sale and leaseback deal for LNG carrier

Cosco Shipping Development, a unit of Cosco Shipping, has entered into a sale and leaseback agreement with a unit of Japan's MOL for one 271,000-cbm LNG carrier.

MOL’s LNG carrier fleet stands at 104 vessels

MOL's large fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers had 104 vessels as of the end of June this year.

MOL, Equinor name LNG-powered VLCC

Japan's shipping giant MOL has named an LNG dual-fuel very large crude carrier which will serve Norway's Equinor under a charter deal.