LNG-fuelled tugboat Ishin, owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and operated by Nihon-Tug-Boat Co., Ltd., underwent truck-to-ship bunkering at the Port of Kobe.
LNG fuel for the trial was hauled by a tanker truck from the Himeji LNG Plant of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. A truck-to-ship system was then used to supply Ishin, berthed at Kobe Port’s Shinko Pier.
MOL Marine Co., Ltd. also provided maritime consulting in the trial, which was organised by the Kobe City Port and Harbour Authority.
In response to the January 2020 0.5% sulphur emissions regulation, an increasing number of LNG-fuelled vessels are coming into service, making the development of LNG bunkering ports in Japan an urgent task, said MOL.
MOL Group companies are working together to promote the wider adoption of LNG fuel for vessels and reduce environmental impact through the safe operation of Ishin.