Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. announced that a dual-fuel methanol carrier chartered from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) on a long-term basis was delivered at the HD Hyundai Mipo shipyard on May 30. A naming ceremony was held on May 23 at the shipyard, where MGC Chairman Masashi Fujii christened the vessel Kohzan Maru VII.

The 47,960-ton (deadweight) vessel is powered by a Hyundai-Man B&W 6G50ME-C9.6-LGIM electronically controlled dual-fuel two-stroke engine. Notably, one of its two fuels is methanol, a next-generation fuel for truly sustainable operation.

The Kohzan Maru VII is Japan’s first dual-fuel, ocean-going, methanol-transport vessel chartered by a domestic shipper on a long-term basis. MGC and MOL began operating Japan's first methanol-dedicated vessel, the Kohzan Maru, in 1983, to safely and efficiently transport methanol by sea. The Kohzan Maru VII will benefit from extensive expertise accumulated in the years since to transport environmentally sustainable methanol derived from renewable resources handled MGC.

MOL and MGC have steadily pursued innovative, industry-leading maritime transportation solutions to meet evolving needs. Through their operation of the new dual-fuel methanol vessel, the two companies expect to advance their contributions to a more carbon-neutral world.

Methanol is a basic chemical with a wide range of applications. It is considered a clean fuel because it emits low levels of CO₂, sulfur oxides (SO_x), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and particulate matter (PM) during combustion. There is increasing attention on alternative fuels as replacements for heavy fuel oil. The EU, for example, has introduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations for maritime transport, such as FuelEU Maritime and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). In addition, the International Maritime Organization’s 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 83) is discussing medium-term measures for GHG reduction.

 Methanol can easily be stored and handled with existing infrastructure and offers higher safety levels than alternative fuels. Replacing conventional fuels with methanol made from CO₂, waste plastics and bio-based methanol is expected to realize truly carbon-neutral maritime transportation across the entire lifecycle of these environmentally sustainable fuels.

Carbopath^TM is MGC’s environmentally sustainable platform for carbon cycling that uses captured CO₂ emissions, waste plastics, biomass, etc. to manufacture methanol, which is then converted into fuels, materials and chemicals. MGC promotes cross-industry collaboration to advance Carbopath for the realization of circular economies. Based on MGC’s mission of “Creating value to share with society,” the company is committed to sustainable maritime transportation fueled by eco-friendly methanol as well as supplying methanol and environmental infrastructure for the marine fuel market. Going forward, MGC expects to accelerate its contributions to a carbon-neutral world by expanding its methanol-based value chain spanning manufacturing, supply, transportation and utilization.