Toho Gas Co., Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. today announced the implementation of a demonstration test to supply LNG (LNG bunkering) to the LNG-fueled tugboat Ishin in the Port of Nagoya. This marked the first LNG bunkering in the Port of Nagoya, and the test confirmed that LNG can be safely supplied to vessels at the port, MOL said in its release.
LNG was transported via truck from the Toho Gas Chita-Midorihama LNG Terminal (Chita-shi, Aichi Prefecture), and supplied with a truck-to-ship system to Ishin, berthed at the Port of Nagoya's Garden Pier.
Also cooperating in the demonstration test were, Niyac Corporation, which provides LNG land transport for Toho Gas, MOL Marine Co., Ltd., which provides maritime consulting services, and Nihon-Tug-Boat Co., Ltd., which operates Ishin.
Liquified natural gas (LNG) is drawing attention as an environmentally friendly vessel fuel because its combustion produces lower emissions of SOx, NOx, and CO2 compared to conventionally used heavy oil.
Regulations to prevent air pollution from vessels were established in Annex VI issued in 2005 in the MARPOL Treaty adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Since then, exhaust gas regulations have become more stringent worldwide. Starting in January 2020, the limit for sulfur in fuel oil used on board ships operating outside designated emission control areas will be reduced to less than 0.50% m/m.