Japanese Consortium Unveils Design For Eco-Friendly VLCC Powered By Methanol

Idemitsu Tanker Co., Ltd., IINO Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. are pleased to announce that the consortium the companies established on 26 January 2024 (*1) for the joint research and development of an eco-friendly very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) has produced a design concept for Japan’s first Malacca Max (*2) type VLCC to use methanol as alternative fuel (hereafter, the “Vessel”).

To provide power while sailing, the Vessel will be equipped with a shaft generator (*3) and the latest dual-fuel main engine that can use methanol and heavy oil as fuel. A wind propulsion system (*4) will be optional.

As a result, the Vessel can achieve a CO2 reduction of more than 40% compared to the reference line against the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) regulation (*5), clearing Phase 3 (reduction of more than 30% compared to the reference line), which will apply from 2025.

Methanol is expected to contribute to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction strategy by reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 15% compared to the use of conventional fuel oil.

In addition, the use of green methanol, such as bio-methanol produced from biomass and synthetic methanol (e-methanol) produced using hydrogen from renewable energy sources and captured CO2, makes it possible to reduce CO2 emissions to net zero (*6).

The four companies, which play a leading role in Japan-based energy transportation, will conduct further studies based on the design concept in order to achieve the international shipping goal of becoming carbon neutrality by 2050.

Furthermore, the companies will aim for strategically phased shipbuilding orders for this next-generation eco-friendly VLCC and allocate vessels to crude-oil transport for Japanese refineries as soon as possible.

Press Release

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