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MOL and Mistui Zosen partner on fuel efficiency and emissions reduction

Image: MOL MOL ammonia powered vessel
Mitsui OSK Lines’ (MOL) unit MOL Techno-Trade (MOLTT) and Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) have formed a partnership seeking fuel efficiency of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.

Through this partnership, 30 project specialists from the three companies will be involved to pursue fuel efficiency and further reduce GHG emissions from MOL vessels immediately.

The partnership has set a target to achieve a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency over FY2019 by the end of FY2024 through collaborations with EcoMOL, which was established in the Philippines in May, with the goal of promoting vessel operating efficiency.

Specifically, the partner companies will examine the different characteristics and conditions of every vessel, and combine 18 different types of measures, including trim optimisation, advanced low friction & anti-fouling paint usages, optimal propeller retro-fittings, best ESD combinations studies, and introduction of various energy-saving technologies and equipment.

The MOL Group set mid-to-long-term targets to reduce GHG emissions intensity in marine transport by approximately 45% by 2035 versus 2019 and achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 through five strategies which include boosting operational efficiency in MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1.  

Through the partnership, MOL said it will carry forward fuel efficiency and GHG reduction from ships and contribute to achieving a low-carbon and decarbonised society.

In a separate announcement, MOL revealed it endorsed a new strategy from the Mission Possible Partnership aimed at promoting decarbonisation in industry. The sector transition strategy “Making Net-Zero Ammonia Possible” wants to ramp up production of zero-emission ammonia, potentially for use as a clean marine fuel.

Earlier this year, MOL and compatriot shipbuilders Tsuneishi Shipbuilding and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding launched a joint project aimed at developing and building an ocean-going liquefied gas carrier that will use ammonia as its main fuel. Together with Namura Shipbuilding and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, the company has been also developing a large-size ammonia carrier powered by ammonia fuel.