Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (‘K’ Line) has signed an agreement to facilitate the long-term procurement of carbon-neutral liquefied bio methane (LBM) fuel, and has started to use this fuel for LNG-fuelled PCTC vessels.
It is expected that this procurement agreement will enable ‘K’ Line to reduce its GHG emissions by around 60,800t/year. LBM is an alternative to LNG that is produced from livestock excrement, food residue and other organic waste. It has been confirmed that the GHG emissions from the entire product lifecycle, from the manufacturing to the consumption of the fuel, are lower than the emissions from traditional fuels, and it can be used as-is in existing LNG-fuelled vessels. Taking advantage of this characteristic, ‘K’ Line expects to use it in its existing LNG-fuelled car carrier fleet.
The LBM that ‘K’ Line is now using is ISCC-EU certified, ensuring a degree of sustainability that is in compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED). By proactively adopting internationally certified fuels like this, ‘K’ Line will help decarbonise entire supply chains in collaboration with cargo owners and other stakeholders.
‘K’ Line’s aim is to achieve net-zero GHG emissions in 2050. The continuous use of LBM is one of its key initiatives to achieve this target.
Image: ‘K’ Line PCTC bunkering with LBM (source: ‘K’ Line)
