MOL to charter dual-fuel methanol carrier to Mitsubishi Gas

Japanese shipper Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has inked a deal with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company to charter a methanol carrier that can run on both methanol and conventional heavy fuel oil.

PHOTO: The MOL Cajun Sun can run on methanol and conventional marine fuels. MOL

The methanol transporter will be built by South Korea's Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and is expected to be delivered in 2025.

It “will be the first dual-fuel methanol carrier to sail under a long-term charter for a Japanese company,” according to MOL.

As a fuel, methanol can reduce “sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by up to 99%, particulate matter (PM) emissions by up to 95%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 80%, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 15% in comparison to burning conventional marine fuel,” MOL adds.

MOL currently operates a fleet of 19 methanol carriers. The shipping giant began operating dual-fuel methanol carriers, which can run on methanol, in 2016 and has five such vessels now.

By Tuhin Roy

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online