LNG bunkering demonstration at Setouchi and Kyushu

NYK, together with Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc., Saibu Gas Co. Ltd., and The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., on Wednesday (15 May) successfully conducted a truck-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering demonstration at the port of Kitakyushu.

This operation is the first LNG bunkering in the Setouchi and Kyushu areas of western Japan and advances the four companies’ discussions on the commercialisation of a new business in the area, says NYK.

According to the company, the LNG fuel was loaded onto a tank truck at the Hibiki LNG terminal in Kitakyushu city, trucked to a pier in the Asano district, and then supplied to the LNG-fuelled tugboat Sakigake using the truck-to-ship method.

“Since August 2018, the four companies have been in joint discussions on the commercialisation of LNG bunkering, and this demonstration validates the feasibility of LNG bunkering in the area,” it stated.

“Going forward, the four companies will utilise the experience gained from this operation to accelerate commercialisation.”

Related: NYK enters MOU for LNG bunkering at West Japan

Other related: NYK accredited to conduct IGF Code training for LNG-fuelled ships
Other related: Japan: First LNG bunkering vessel ordered, to start ops in 2020
Other related: Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation launched
Other related: Japanese shipping, energy firms mull LNG bunkering business

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 16 May, 2019