Japan’s NYK to charter methanol-fuelled bulk carrier

Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) plans to charter a bio- or synthetic methanol (e-methanol)-fuelled bulk carrier after its construction by the spring of 2025.

NYK Line announced on 19 August that its affiliate NYK Bulk and Project Carriers signed a charter agreement with fellow Japanese shipping company Kambara Kisen on 1 August. The 65,700dwt vessel is being built by Japanese shipbuilder Tsuneishi Shipbuilding at its Tsuneishi dockyard in west Japan's Hiroshima prefecture. It will be NYK Line's first methanol-fuelled bulk carrier.

The bulk carrier will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine, which can burn methanol and conventional fuel oil. NYK Line aims to use biomass-based methanol or e-methanol, which is generated by using renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide, to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. NYK Line expects it to cut GHG emissions by 70-80pc compared with fuel oil. The firm has not decided yet where to buy the low-carbon methanol.

NYK Line is also involved in developing a biomass-fuelled biomass carrier, targeting to build it by the end of 2029. The vessel will be equipped with a pyrolysis gasifier system, burning wood pellets from storage to generate gas for use in a gas-engine power generator. The electricity will be used to propel the ship.

By Nanami Oki