Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard announced the establishment of a consortium on January 26, 2024 to conduct joint research and development of design concepts (particulars, machinery, and environmental equipment) for Malacca Max type Very Large Crude Oil Carriers (VLCCs) with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Recently, the alliance finalized the design of Japan’s first methanol-fueled Malacca Straits-class VLCC.
It is reported that the VLCC can use methanol and heavy fuel oil as fuel, is equipped with a large shaft generator, and is equipped with a wind propulsion auxiliary device. With these specifications, the VLCC has achieved a reduction of more than 40% compared with the current EEDI index, and significantly exceeds the EEDI Phase 3 index that will be implemented in 2025 (achieving a reduction of more than 30%).
Methanol is expected to contribute to the greenhouse gas reduction strategy of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), reducing CO2 emissions by about 15% compared to the use of traditional heavy fuel oil. In addition, the use of green methanol, such as bio-methanol and e-methanol, can reduce carbon emissions to almost zero.
NYK said the four companies play a leading role in Japan’s energy transportation and will conduct further detailed studies based on the design concept, striving to build this next-generation environmentally friendly VLCC in stages as planned, so that it can enter the crude oil transportation market as soon as possible.