Mitsui OSK Lines has revealed plans to trial the use of liquefied biomethane (LBM), derived from cattle manure, in LNG-fuelled vessels.
The carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Air Water to jointly conduct the study as part of an LBM technology research and development programme approved by Japan's Ministry of the Environment and promoted by Air Water.
LBM is produced from cattle manure in the Tokachi region of Hokkaido by Air Water. The two companies will confirm that LBM can be transported, supplied, and used without problems using existing shore and onboard equipment. The goal is to use LBM on the MOL Group's coastal LNG-fuelled vessel in the first half of this year. It will be the first use of LBM as marine fuel in Japan.
MOL is moving toward decarbonisation to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and shifting to greener alternative fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen
In addition, because the main component of both LBM and LNG is methane, the current LNG supply chains can be used, so LBM can be an effective solution to achieve low-carbon and decarbonised ship operations.
Air Water is committed to creating decarbonisation solutions and sustainable, locally circulating energy supply models. In October 2022, the company started operating the first plant in Japan to produce LBM, an alternative fuel to LNG that effectively uses unused biogas produced from cattle manure. It is also working on supplying LBM to food factories and LNG-fuelled trucks.
