Tsuneishi Solutions Tokyobay Co., Ltd. (T-SOL) has delivered its first low-flashpoint fuel supply system (LFSS) designed to handle methanol, marking the first on-vessel application of the Japan-built system following approval in principle (AiP) granted by classification society ClassNK in April 2024.

The delivery, which took place at the end of May, sees the LFSS installed aboard a Kamsarmax bulk carrier. Developed in-house by T-SOL and designed for medium- and low-speed diesel engines, the system is intended to safely and reliably supply alternative fuels with low flashpoints — such as methanol — to a vessel's main engine.

According to T-SOL, the LFSS features a compact design in terms of its main components, dimensions and weight. The system incorporates key components sourced from Japanese suppliers, which the company notes enables the provision of instruction manuals in Japanese and allows for prompt responses to customer enquiries.

Because the LFSS is assembled in Japan, T-SOL claims that customers are not required to attend factory acceptance tests (FAT) overseas or arrange for engineers from overseas equipment manufacturers to travel to Japan — a factor the company says helps reduce both costs and operational burdens. On-site technical support during commissioning and testing is also provided.

T-SOL, a fabless engineering company headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo, draws on a heritage linked to Tsuneishi's century-long involvement in ship development, design and construction, as well as more than 40 years of experience in constructing LNG carriers. The company was formally founded in May 2017.

Following the delivery of its first unit, T-SOL said it intends to ensure a stable supply of LFSS units and will continue research and development into engineering solutions for other alternative fuels. The company has stated that these efforts are aimed at supporting the maritime industry's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.