Sign up
Log in Sign up
Fri 28 Sep 2018, 13:39 GMT

MOL launches Osaka Bay's first LNG-fuelled tugboat


Osaka Gas set to begin truck deliveries to the vessel in April 2019.

The Ishin is able to run on both LNG and heavy fuel oil. It is MOL's first LNG-fuelled tugboat and Japan's first with a removable LNG fuel tank mounted on the exposed deck at the stern of the ship.
Image credit: Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL)
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.

Renewable ammonia project pipeline by region chart. Clean ammonia project pipeline shrinks as offtake agreements remain scarce  

Renewable ammonia pipeline falls 0.9 Mt while only 3% of projects secure binding supply deals.
Global Ethanol Association (GEA) logo. Thoen Bio Energy joins Global Ethanol Association  

Shipping group with Brazilian ethanol ties becomes member as association plans export-focused project group.
Geiranger Fjord, Norway. Norway enforces zero-emission rules for cruise ships in World Heritage fjords  

Passenger vessels under 10,000 GT must use zero-emission fuels in Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord from January 2026.
D-Flex PSV design render. Longitude unveils compact PSV design targeting cost efficiency  

Design consultancy launches D-Flex vessel as a cost-efficient alternative to larger platform supply vessels.
IBIA hiring graphic IBIA seeks advisor for technical, regulatory and training role  

Remote position will support the association’s IMO and EU engagement and member training activities.
Truck-to-ship LNG bunkering in Hammerfest. Barents NaturGass begins LNG bunkering operations for Havila Kystruten in Hammerfest  

Norwegian supplier completes first truck-to-ship operation using newly approved two-truck simultaneous bunkering design.
Everllence L70ME-GI engine. Everllence receives 2,000th dual-fuel engine order from Cosco  

Chinese shipping line orders 12 methane-fuelled engines for new 18,000-teu container vessels.
Sakura Leader vessel. NYK signs long-term charter deals with Cheniere for new LNG carriers  

Japanese shipping company partners with Ocean Yield for vessels to be delivered from 2028.
Ocean Legacy vessel. Sallaum Lines takes delivery of LNG-powered container vessel MV Ocean Legacy  

Shipping company receives new dual-fuel vessel from Chinese shipyard as part of fleet modernisation programme.
Gas Utopia vessel alongside Oceanic Moon vessel. Rotterdam bio-LNG bunkering surges sixfold as alternative marine fuels gain traction  

Port handled 17,644 cbm of bio-LNG in 2025, while biomethanol volumes tripled year-on-year.




 Recommended