Methanol-capable tanker to double as bunker vessel in Japan

Japanese shipping firm Kokuka Sangyo has taken delivery of its first methanol-capable vessel, which will also serve as a methanol bunker tanker in Japan.

IMAGE: Methanol bunkering of Kokuryu Maru at Japan's Kinoe Port. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical

The vessel’s inaugural bunkering was completed at Kinoe Port in Japan's Hiroshima Prefecture on 24 September.

The 1,200-dwt chemical tanker, Kokuryu Maru, was bunkered with mass-balanced bio-methanol during the operation.

The bio-methanol was produced at Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's Niigata plant and physically supplied by the company.

The vessel will be chartered by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and deployed to transport and supply methanol across Japan. It will use the bio-methanol as fuel during operations, the company said.

By Konica Bhatt

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