MOL & Partners Launch Study On Biomethane Production From Cow Manure To Decarbonize Shipping

A consortium of Japanese companies has announced the launch of a joint study to produce and use biomethane obtained from animal manure in Hamanaka Town, Hokkaido.

The initiative, a collaboration between Hamanaka Town, JA Hamanaka, Takanashi Milk Products Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), and its subsidiary MOL Sunflower Ltd., aims to explore the possibility of using biomethane as a fuel alternative in factories and vessels.

Biomethane, a renewable energy source, is made from biogas, a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide created by the anaerobic digestion of organic materials like animal waste.

The town of Hamanaka, expanding with dairy farming, provides a unique opportunity for this study due to the large quantity of animal waste from local dairy farms.

The effort aims to study the potential of biomethane to replace conventional fuels like coal and oil with cleaner alternatives like liquefied natural gas (LNG).

LNG has previously been recognized for having a lower carbon footprint, with CO2 emissions reduced by 25% to 40% compared to traditional fuels. However, biomethane may provide much greater environmental benefits, possibly attaining net-zero emissions by 2050.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and its ferry subsidiary, MOL Sunflower, are particularly interested in this study as part of a larger decarbonization strategy for their fleet. The companies are researching whether biomethane can be integrated into existing LNG infrastructure, making it a viable option for fueling ships without needing major modifications.

AirWater, a pioneer in biomethane commercialization, contributes to the study’s findings. The AirWater process involves the liquefaction and purification of biogas, producing methane that can be transported and used widely. This process aligns with the broader goals of the involved companies to improve the sustainability of their operations.

Despite the potential of biomethane, difficulties remain. Shipping corporations, like Maersk, have expressed concern about biomethane’s restricted availability, which may prevent its adoption as a mainstream fuel.

Ørsted, a Danish energy company, has stopped developing a biomethane facility, citing low demand as the main reason.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’s MOL Sunflower branch plans to expand its fleet with two new LNG-powered ferries, which will start operation in 2025. These vessels will join the existing LNG-fueled fleet operating on Japan’s east-west routes, contributing to the company’s decarbonization initiatives.

Reference: MOL