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.
