Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., MOL Coastal Shipping, Ltd., Tabuchi Kaiun Co., Ltd., Niihama Kaiun Co., Ltd.,Murakami Hide Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., and The Hanshin Diesel Works, Ltd. have agreed to form strategic alliance aimed at reducing environmental impact through the development of methanol-fueled Domestic tanker.

The vessel development project, which targets delivery of the ship in 2024, was also selected to receive public funding through the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), 'Subsidy for 'Project on Transport Efficiency improvement Utilizing using AI/IoT (Demonstration Project on Domestic Ship Innovative Operation Efficiency)' (Note 1).

Methanol can reduce emissions of sulfur oxide (SOx) by up to 99%, particulate matter (PM) by up to 95%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 80%, and carbon dioxide (CO2) by up to 15%, compared to vessels using conventional fuel oil, which is currently the main fuel for marine vessels. Methanol has outstanding properties for use as a fuel, as it is liquid at normal temperatures and normal air pressure. Methanol fuelhas been more widely introduced on ocean-going vessels as an environmentally friendly fuel, including four MOL Group-operated ships, but this will be the first methanol-fueled Domestic ship.

In addition, methanol can be produced with CO2 and hydrogen as raw material, so in the future, it can be produced by utilizing the CO2 capture and transport business to synthesize hydrogen, which uses

electricity derived from renewable resources such as offshore wind power and wave power. If this methanol can be used as fuel, it can establish an environmental circulation type business model, enabling a reduction in net CO2 emissions.

The six alliance partners will each orchestrate their advantages in technology, expertise, and networks (Note 2) aiming to realize a decarbonized society.

(Note 1)

The funding subsidizes the costs required to conduct the demonstration project with the aim of optimizing overall transport by introducing measures on software aspects such as ship operation

planning and optimization of cargo handling operations, as well as hardware-based steps such as

energy-saving ship designs, high-efficiency propulsion systems, and systems and equipment to enhance

cargo-handling operations.

(Note 2)

Alliance Partners and Their Roles in the Project

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.

Established May 1884

Address of head office 2-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Takeshi Hashimoto

Business Ocean shipping services, etc.

MOL Coastal Shipping, Ltd.

Established December 22, 1953

Address of head office 2-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Hiroshi Kobayashi

Business Marine transport services

Tabuchi Kaiun Co., Ltd.

Established October 1935

Address of head office 2-2-5 Ajigawa, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka

Representative Norio Tabuchi

Business Ocean shipping services, etc.

Niihama Kaiun Co., Ltd.

Established August 1948

Address of head office 1-4-18 Nishibaracho, Niihama-shi, Ehime

Prefecture

Representative Shuichi Moriga

Business Marine transport services

Murakami Hide Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

Established November 1963

Address of head office 4641- 2 Hakatacho Kinoura, Imabari-shi, Ehime

Prefecture

Representative Eiji Murakami

Business Shipbuilding, repair services, etc.

The Hanshin Diesel Works, Ltd.

Established January 1918

Address of head office 4F Shinko Building, 8 Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe,

Hyogo Prefecture

Representative Kazuhiko Kinoshita

Business Production of ship engines, etc.

https://www.mol.co.jp/en/pr/2022/img/22034.pdf

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