on November 14, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kyuden) announced a Panamax coal carrier that uses low environmental impact LNG as its main fuel was delivered and started operation.
In a naming and delivery ceremony held at the Imari Shipyard and Works of Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (President: Kensuke Namura; Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture), the new vessel was named Reimei.
The 235-meter-long, LNG-fueled vessel, built by Namura Shipbuilding, is operated by MOL to transport coal from overseas to Kyuden’s coal-fired thermal power plants.
Compared to conventional marine fuel, LNG can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2) by about 30%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by about 100%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 80%.
The Reimei departed from Imari Port on November 14 for shore-to-ship bunkering at Tobata Port in Fukuoka Prefecture on November 15, where it will receive fuel directly from the onshore LNG shipping terminal.
In the future, ship-to-ship bunkering from an LNG bunkering vessel can also be adopted as a way for the vessel to receive fuel.
MOL and Kyuden proactively work to ensure both continued, reliable transport of energy resources and reduction of environmental impact.