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MOL and partners complete Japan’s first trial of LBM derived from biomass as bunker fuel

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Seven companies announced completion of a successful sea trial using LBM derived from cattle manure as marine fuel onboard domestic LNG-fuelled vessel “Ise Mirai” in Ise Bay.
mol bio methane

A group of seven companies on Wednesday (21 June) announced the completion of a successful sea trial using liquefied bio-methane (LBM) derived from cattle manure as marine fuel onboard domestic LNG-fuelled vessel Ise Mirai in Ise Bay. 

This marks Japan’s first use of carbon-neutral LBM derived from biomass.

Teaming up on the project were Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), Air Water Inc. (Air Water), Techno Chubu Company, Ltd. (Techno Chubu), Kyoudou Kaiun Co., Ltd. (Kyoudou Kaiun), MOL Coastal Shipping, Ltd. (MOL Coastal Shipping), Cenergy Co., LTD (Cenergy), and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. (IHI Power Systems).

mol bio methane

The trial was conducted based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between MOL and Air Water in February 2023, with the cooperation of other parties involved, as follows:

  • Shipper: JERA Co., Inc.
  • Carrier: Techno Chubu
  • Operator/Shipowner: Kyoudou Kaiun (Joint shipowner: Techno Chubu, MOL Coastal Shipping)
  • Truck transport: Cenergy
  • Bunkering operator: Cenergy, Kyoudou Kaiun
  • Engine manufacturer: IHI Power Systems

In the trial, Air Water supplied LBM produced from cattle manure in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido as part of a technology development and demonstration project adopted by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment. 

All the parties involved confirmed the following through ocean transport of JERA’s cargo:

  1. LBM can be transported through the existing domestic LNG supply chain.
  2. Truck-to-ship bunkering of LBM can be completed using existing LNG tank trucks.
  3. LBM can be used by existing vessel (Ise Mirai) as marine fuel.

 

Photo credit: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd
Published: 22 June, 2023

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