NYK places order for a methanol dual-fuel vessel

Japan-based shipping company Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) has ordered a dual-fuel very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) that can run on methanol and conventional marine fuels.

CONCEPT: Design of the methanol dual-fuel VLCC. NYK Line

The 310,000 dwt VLCC will be built by compatriot shipbuilder Nippon Shipyard, with delivery scheduled in 2028, NYK Line said.

The vessel’s concept design has been developed by NYK Line, in partnership with Idemitsu Tanker, Iino Kaiun Kaisha (Iino Lines) and Nippon Shipyard.

This will be NYK's first VLCC that can run on methanol, it said.

The vessel will operate under a long-term charter with Idemitsu Tanker, NYK Line said, while the supplier of the methanol dual-fuel engines has not been disclosed.

Several shipping companies are investing in methanol-capable ships to include methanol in their future fuel mix. This could boost demand for methanol as a bunker fuel in the coming years.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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