Image: Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)

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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) on Friday performed the naming and launch ceremonies for its new LNG-fuelled tugboat, the Ishin.

Built as part of the 'Ishin Next - MOL Smart Ship Project', which was launched in November 2016 and focuses on "advanced support technologies for safer vessel operation" and "technologies for reducing environmental impact", MOL's new vessel is slated for delivery in February 2019 after the completion of outfitting work, and it is set to be the first LNG-fuelled tugboat serving the Osaka Bay area from next April.

The vessel is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 25 percent compared to tugs running on fuel oil, and earned the top rating of four stars from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's energy-saving rating scheme for Japan's costal ships.

The scheme is designed to evaluate energy savings and CO2 reduction in the vessel planning and design stages, and to foster the development of coastal ships that lower CO2 and save energy by objectively calculating their performance.

The Ishin is powered by two of Yanmar's latest 6EY26DF dual-fuel commercial marine engines, which are able to run on either heavy fuel oil or LNG.

It is the first LNG-fuelled tugboat owned by MOL and is said to be the first in Japan to conform to the International Code Of Safety For Ships Using Gases Or Other Low-Flash Point Fuels (IGF Code). The code stipulates safety requirements for vessels using gas and other low-ignition fuels, and was issued on January 1, 2017.

Furthermore, the Ishin is also Japan's first LNG-fuelled tugboat with a removable LNG fuel tank mounted on the exposed deck at the stern of the ship. This is designed to simplify bunkering, maintenance and inspection procedures.

As Bunker Index reported in May 2017, Osaka Gas has been contracted to supply the Ishin with LNG. The deliveries are to be carried out using the truck-to-ship delivery method.

MOL and Osaka Gas are to establish an LNG fuel supply system for vessels in the port of Sakai Senboku, which will be the first in Osaka Bay.

The new tug is to be operated by Nihon Tug-Boat Co., Ltd.