Mitsubishi Shipbuilding to build methanol-fuelled ship

Japan's Mitsubishi Shipbuilding plans to build two methanol-fuelled coastal roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels at its Shimonoseki shipyard in west Japan's Yamaguchi prefecture, aiming to deliver them within the April 2027-March 2028 fiscal year.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a group company of engineering firm Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, will build two 15,750 gross tonne car carriers with 2,300 vehicle capacity. The RoRo ships, which are equipped with a ferry-type ramp for transport of wheeled cargo such as trucks and trailers, will be delivered to Japanese shipping firms Toyofuji Shipping and Fukuju Shipping.

The ships will be equipped with dual-fuel engines, which can burn both methanol and conventional marine fuel. The company expects use of methanol to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 10pc compared with the use of conventional heavy oil. The ships can also use green methanol to further reduce CO2 emissions in the future.

Methanol has emerged as a potential alternative fuel as the marine sector looks to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. Fellow Japanese shipbuilders Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United, as well as domestic vessel engineering firm Nihon Shipyard, also target to build 209,000dwt methanol-fuelled Capsize bulk carriers, aiming to deliver them to shipping firm NS United Kaiun from 2027.

By Nanami Oki