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Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced the completion of the concept for its second in a series of next-generation vessels, which the company says will be "technically practical" in the near future.

The vessel, named ISHIN-II, is an environmentally-friendly ferry that can transport both cargo and passengers.

The ship's features are as follows:

(1) Use of LNG as fuel for cleaner exhaust gas and a reduction of CO2 emissions.

(2) Use of a shore power supply system - Whilst in port, and at berth the vessel achieves zero emission by using electricity supplied from shore and rechargeable batteries.

The first vessel in this series, the next-generation, environmentally-friendly car carrier ISHIN-I, was announced on September 10 2009. "ISHIN-I (ishin one)" stands for "Innovations in Sustainability backed by Historically proven, INtegrated technologies." "ISHIN" is also the Japanese word for a complete revitalization or reform.

MOL says its concept vessel forms part of an initiative to shift logistics from trucks and airplanes to more environmentally-friendly modes of transportation, such as vessels and railways, in order to reduce CO2 emissions. This is expected to ease traffic jams on roads, reduce traffic accidents, and ease the labor shortage caused by Japan's declining birthrate and aging population.

According to MOL, the aforementioned initiative and the adoption of a combination of new technologies will lead to CO2 emissions being reduced by 50%, NOx by 90%, SOx by 98-100%, and particulate matters (PM) such as soot , dust, and smoke by 98%, per voyage, compared to current MOL Group ferries.