MOL tugboat carries out first LNG bunkering

The tugboat Ishin was ordered by MOL from Kanagawa Dockyard and the LNG fuel was supplied by Osaka Gas using truck-to-ship LNG bunkering procedure.

After this test operation, Ishin is slated for delivery in late-February and will start commercial operation in April as the first LNG-fuelled tugboat serving Osaka Bay. Ishin will be operated by Nihon Tug-Boat Co.

MOL said it has been working closely with Osaka Prefecture Port and Habor Bureau and Osaka Gas to develop a LNG fuel supply system for ships in Sakai Senboku Port, through the development of Ishin.

Ishin has been tested for environmental performance, reaping an estimated 25% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to tugs that run on heavy fuel oil.