NYK Line, Kyushu Electric Power Co, Itochu Enex, and Saibu Gas Co, having established a joint venture company, Keys Bunkering West Japan, in February this year, have announced the goal of beginning a LNG fuel supply business for ships in Japan’s Kyushu and Setouchi regions in the spring of 2024.
The parties announced the conclusion of a shipbuilding contract for an LNG bunkering vessel between Keys and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. The construction of the LNG bunkering vessel is planned to be completed in March 2024, and the vessel will become the first LNG bunkering vessel operated in West Japan. The ship will be 82.4m long, with capacity 3500m3 and will be powered by a dual-fuel diesel/LNG electric propulsion system.
For starting the LNG fuel supply business, the parties applied for support from the subsidy program for development of LNG bunkering bases , the Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) assistance project that supports the establishment of LNG fuel supply facilities. This support has now been approved, so with the backing of MLIT, Keys will own and manage LNG bunkering vessels and implement the LNG fuel supply business.
Through this business, which handles environment-friendly LNG fuel, the parties and Keys will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with the goal of realising a carbon-neutral society.
