New study to explore feasibility of animal manure-derived biomethane for shipping

The shipping firm MOL and five other Japanese organisations have collaborated to launch a joint study on using biomethane produced from animal manure for shipping.

PHOTO: The LNG-fuelled ferry Sunflower Kamui, operated by MOL Sunflower. MOL

The six-member coalition has announced that the animal manure required for the study will be sourced from dairy farms in Hamanaka Town in Japan's Hokkaido prefecture. 

The study will "evaluate the feasibility of using all or part of the biomethane produced in Hamanaka Town to fuel factories and vessels," MOL said.

MOL's subsidiary MOL Sunflower is also a part of this study.

In June last year, MOL successfully trialled liquefied biomethane (LBM) derived from cattle manure as marine fuel on an LNG-fuelled vessel.

LBM is produced from biomethane generated from biogas plants, before it is liquefied at about -160°C.

By Manjula Nair

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