Japan’s NS United Kaiun Kaisha has struck a deal with Nippon Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding, and Japan Marine United Corporation, for the construction of cape-size bulk carriers using dual methanol fuel.
The Tokyo-headquartered NS United Kaiun Kaisha said the 209,000-dwt vessel will be a next-generation environment-friendly vessel to be delivered for the transportation of raw materials in Japan and overseas.
The 299.99 meters long vessel with 50 meters width is scheduled for completion in 2027 or later.
These vessels will adapt Phase 3 of EEDI (energy efficiency design index), and they will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that can be navigated, using methanol fuel, in addition to conventional heavy fuel oil.
NS United added that it aims to cooperate with many related companies involved in fuel development to procure green methanol.
Furthermore, the implementation of dual-fuel methanol vessel is considered by the company “an important milestone to achieve its GHG net-zero environmental goal by 2050.”
Few days ago, the company announced its partnership with BHP Group Ltd. Both companies conducted a trial for the use of biodiesel-blended marine fuel (biofuel) on a capesize bulk carrier, United Crown, owned and operated by the group.
In January 2024, the vessel was supplied with biofuel by Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co., Ltd. at the port of Hong Kong, and the trial was conducted on the way to the discharging port for two consecutive voyages.
“We made progress from previous biofuel trials in respects of increasing the amount of biofuel and verifying its quality in use after being stored on board over two months,” the company said.
