MOL’s LNG-fueled tugboat has marked its 100th LNG bunkering at Japan’s Port of Sakai-Semboku, Osaka, after entering service in 2019.
To mark the LNG bunkering milestone, a ceremony was held at the port on July 12, according to a statement by BOL.
The tug operated by MOL’s Nihon Tug-Boat is currently engaged in harbor towage and escort operations for large freighters and other vessels mainly in the Port of Sakai-Semboku.
MOL says the tug receives “carbon-neutral” LNG from Osaka Gas and Daigas Energy via the truck-to-ship method.
The Japanese firm is investing in LNG as fuel in order to slash emissions and it recently completed a bio-LNG trial with the LNG-powered coastal bulk carrier, Ise Mirai, in Ise Bay.
The 2020-built bulker Ise Mirai belongs to a joint venture consisting of MOL’s coastal shipping unit, Chubu Electric’s unit Techno Chubu, and Kyoudou Kaiun.
Besides this move, MOL this year placed in service Japan’s first two LNG-powered ferries.
