On August 19, 2024, NYK Line announced that it would commence the operation of its first methanol dual-fuel bulker within the group. NYK Bulk & Projects, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYK Line based in Tokyo, signed a time charter agreement on August 1, 2024, with Kambara Kisen (headquartered in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture), for the methanol dual-fuel bulker owned by Kambara Kisen. The vessel is expected to be delivered in the spring of 2025. The ship is being built at the Tsuneishi factory of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture. This will be the first methanol dual-fuel vessel operated by the NYK Group.
(Text by Hiro Yamamoto)
Photo courtesy=NYK Bulk & Projects
The newly built vessel will be equipped with a dual-fuel main engine capable of operating on both methanol and heavy fuel oil. The primary fuels anticipated for use are bioethanol and e-methanol, the latter being produced using hydrogen derived from renewable energy and captured carbon dioxide. By using these low-carbon methanol fuels, the vessel aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a substantial reduction in net emissions over the entire lifecycle from fuel production to consumption.
The vessel will be a versatile bulker designed to meet a wide range of cargo transportation needs, including grain and iron ore, and is expected to have the highest loading capacity within the Ultramax class.
In their announcement, NYK Line commented, “Through the adoption of a broad range of low- and zero-carbon fuels, including low-carbon methanol, the NYK Group aims to advance the decarbonization of its fleet and achieve clean transportation.”
〆日本郵船グループは初のメタノール二元燃料バルカーを定期用船することを決めた。
日本郵船は２０２４年８月１９日、同社グループとして初のメタノール二元燃料バルカーbulker）を定期用船し運航すると発表した。日本郵船の完全子会社のNYKバルク・プロジェクト（本社・東京）が２０２４年8月1日、神原汽船（Kambara Kisen、広島県福山市）と神原汽船が保有するメタノール二元燃料バルカーを対象に定期用船契約を締結。神原汽船のメタノール二元燃料貨物船は2025年春に竣工予定である。建造造船所は常石造船の常石工場（Tsuneishi factory of Tsuneishi Shipbuilding、広島県福山市）である。日本郵船グループ運航のバルカーとしては初のメタノール二元燃料船になる。
詳細は明日の日本海事新聞に掲載される。（Further details will be published in tomorrow’s edition of the Japan Maritime Daily.）