MOL’s LNG-Fueled Tugboat Ishin Undergoes First LNG Bunkering Trial

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced that it has participated in the LNG bunkering trial at the Port of Kobe, organized by the Kobe City Port and Harbor Authority, and carried out bunkering on the LNG-fueled tugboat Ishin.

Ishin is a tugboat owned by MOL and operated by Nihon-Tug-Boat Co., Ltd. This marks the first LNG bunkering in the Port of Kobe, and the successful trial confirmed that LNG fuel can be effectively supplied safely at the port.

LNG fuel for the trial was hauled by a tanker truck from the Himeji LNG Plant (Himeji-shi, Hyogo Prefecture) of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., and, via a truck-to-ship system, was used to supply Ishin, berthed at Kobe Port’s Shinko Pier No.4. MOL Marine Co., Ltd. has also provided maritime consulting in the trial.

Image Credits: mol.co.jp

Effective January 2020, vessel exhaust emission regulations will be tightened on a global scale. In response to the new standards, an increasing number of LNG-fueled vessels are coming into service, making the development of LNG bunkering ports in Japan an urgent task. 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.

Outline of Ishin

• Gross tonnage About 250 tons
• LOA About 43.6m
• Breadth About 9.20m
• Draft About 3.15m
• Speed 16.0 knots +
• Main engine Two Yanmar 6EY26DF dual-fuel commercial marine engines

Reference: mol.co.jp

Source: Maritime Shipping News