Japan: LNG-Powered Coal Carrier Starts Operation
Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. (Kyuden) said Tuesday that a Panamax coal carrier that uses low-environmental-impact LNG as its main fuel was delivered and started operation on November 14.In a naming and delivery ceremony held at the Imari Shipyard and Works of Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., the new vessel was named Reimei.The Reimei, a large LNG-fueled coal carrier, is operated by MOL to transport coal from overseas to Kyuden's coal-fired thermal power plants.Credit: MOLCompared to conventional marine fuelâŚ
PowerX Unveils 'First-ever' Battery Tanker
Japan-based company PowerX has unveiled the detailed design of the first-ever âBattery Tankerâ at an exhibition in Imabari City, Japan. The inaugural ship âXâ aims for completion by 2025, with domestic and international field testing planned to start in 2026. This electric propulsion vessel will be 140 meters long and will be equipped with 96 containerized marine batteries, providing a total capacity of 241MWh. "The onboard battery system is based on our proprietary module design, featuring safe and reliable lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cells that ensure a lifespan over 6,000 cycles.
NYK's LNG-fueled Bulker Gets Green Certification
A liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled bulk carrier being built by Oshima Shipbuilding for NYK has been certified by Japan's Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as the first application of the "Specific Ship Introduction Plan" certification system, which targets ships with superior environmental performance.Under the Maritime Industry Strengthening Law enacted in May 2021, shipping companies and shipbuilders certified by the Business Infrastructure StrengtheningâŚ
Japanese, Australian Firms Join for FLNG Project
Australia's Transborders Energy announce it has entered into a Joint Study Agreement with Japanese utility Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. and its affiliate Kyushu Electric Australia Pty Ltd (Kyushu). The Joint Study Parties will work together to develop a Floating LNG (FLNG) Solution and pursue the deployment on a range of stranded offshore gas resource opportunities.Transbordersâ FLNG Solution is a pre-determined FLNG and wells tie-back development concept with a package of streamlined commercial and regulatory approval frameworks.Transbordersâ Chairman Jack Sato says, âTransbordersâ goal is to unlock stranded gas resources, develop a new LNG supply source, and offer alternative LNG solutions.
NYK Participates in First LNG Bunkering Operation
Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen (NYK) together with Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc., Saibu Gas Co. Ltd., and The Chugoku Electric Power Co. Inc., successfully conducted a truck-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering demonstration at the port of Kitakyushu.According to press release, this operation is the first LNG bunkering in the Setouchi and Kyushu areas of western Japan and advances the four companiesâ discussions on the commercialization of a new business in the area.The LNG fuel was loaded onto a tank truck at the Hibiki LNG terminal in Kitakyushu city, trucked to a pier in the Asano district, and then supplied to theâŚ
Japan LNG Imports at 5-year High on Colder Weather
Japanese LNG imports reach 8.7 mln T in January, pressuring regional LNG market with China also hoovering up cargoes. Japanese imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) hit their highest in at least five years in January, with shipments expected to continue at a brisk pace this month as freezing weather keeps its grip on the world's top buyer of the fuel. Japan's imports of LNG rose to nearly 8.7 million tonnes last month, up 8 percent from December and the largest volume since at least January, 2013, according to ship tracking data on Thomson Reuters Eikon that stretches back five years. That upturn is piling further pressure on the region's spot markets for the commodityâŚ
NYK, Kyushu Electric Power Partner on LNG Transport
Japanese firms NYK and Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. say they have reached an agreement to partner in various fields, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport. According to NYK, the agreement will allow Kyushu Electric Power to use vessels from the shipping companyâs fleet for short-term LNG transport, enabling NYK to improve its profitability through efficient vessel allocation and Kyushu Electric Power to improve its flexibility in LNG transport. Shipping company NYKâŚ
Asian LNG Prices Rise to Highest Levels
Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) gas prices reached a nine-month high this week as demand from India, Japan and South Korea underpinned sentiment, reports Reuters. LNG for November delivery were about $6.20 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), 10 cents higher than last week, as supply-demand balances for the rest of the year appear tighter, said three traders who participate in the market. That is the highest since the week ending Jan. Higher crude prices are also lending support to LNG values. ICE Brent futures have gained 3.3 percent to above $52 a barrel this week following the Organizations of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced plans to curb production.
Super Typhoon Headed for Japan, Emergency Warnings Issued
Japan's weather agency on Monday issued emergency warnings to urge people in the country's southern islands to take maximum precautions as a super typhoon described as a "once in decades storm" is set to rake the Okinawa island chain with heavy rain and powerful winds. Typhoon Neoguri was already gusting at more than 250 km an hour (150 mph) and may pick up still more power as it moves northwest, growing into an "extremely intense" storm by Tuesday, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. But it was not expected to be as strong as Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands in the Philippines last year. The JMA issued emergency storm and high sea warnings for Japan's small southern island of Miyakojima, some 300 km (188 miles) southwest of Okinawa island, and for a smaller nearby islet.
MHI : Landmark LNG Carrier Shipbuild Contract
On May 17, 2013, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) will sign an agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) to build a Sayaendo series new-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier. Sayaendo series ships feature a unique structure that integrates the LNG tank cover with the ship hull, resulting in significantly improved fuel consumption and maintainability. From 2020 the new ship will be used mainly for transportation of LNG produced by the Ichthys LNG Project in Australia for Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.