K Line subsidiary launches onboard biofuel blending tugboat

Seagate Corporation, a subsidiary of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), has launched a tugboat fitted with an onboard biofuel blending system at the Kanagawa Dockyard in Japan.

IMAGE: Bisan Maru’s launching ceremony. K Line

Tugboats are small but powerful vessels used to tow or push larger ships within harbours, rivers, or canals.

Named Bisan Maru, the vessel is Japan’s first tugboat equipped with a biofuel blender. The system enables marine fuel oil and biofuel to be blended in any proportion - from 0% to 100% - providing operational flexibility, according to K Line.

This capability allows the vessel to produce blended fuel onboard at the required ratio, even in locations where bunker suppliers are unable to provide pre-blended biofuel.

The biofuel blending unit was manufactured by Japanese manufacturing and engineering company Conhira.

The tug is scheduled to enter service at the Port of Mizushima in Okayama Prefecture in August 2026.

By Tuhin Roy

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