MITSUI O.S.K. Lines has ordered four new LNG-powered 7000-unit car carriers.
In an announcement, the Japanese shipping line said it had reached an agreement with Shin Kurushima Dockyard Company and Nihon Shipyard Company for the construction of the new vessels.
The vessels are to be delivered starting in 2024.
The company said compared to conventional marine fuel oil, LNG can reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by about 25-30% and nitrogen oxide by about 85%. Using LNG as a marine fuel also eliminates sulphur oxide emissions.
MOL said it plans to launch about 90 LNG-fuelled vessels by 2030 under its strategy of adopting clean alternative fuels.
MOL has been working with TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding to develop an LNG bunker vessel, with the vessel nearly operational.
In June, shipping line NYK announced it had ordered 12 LNG-fuelled pure car and truck carriers, which are due for delivery between 2025 and 2028.
Also, CMA CGM, the world’s third-biggest container line by TEU capacity, has been taking delivery of huge LNG-powered containerships. In June, the company took delivery of the CMA CGM Sorbonne, its ninth 23,000-TEU LNG-powered containership. The company said it aims to have a fleet of 44 LNG-powered vessels by the end of 2024.
