Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines, (MOL) and its ferry-operating subsidiary MOL Sunflower, along with Hamanaka Town, JA Hamanaka, Takanashi Milk Products and Hokkaido Gas have launched a study on the production and utilisation of biomethane from animal manure from the numerous local dairy farms in Hamanaka town.
With LNG currently being used as a low-carbon fuel alternative to conventional fuels, which can reduce CO) emissions by 25%-40% compared to fuels such as HFO. In the study, the six organisations will evaluate the feasibility of using all or part of the biomethane produced from farms in Hamanaka Town to fuel factories and vessels, leading to major progress toward the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Biomethane is seen as an effective energy source for the ultimate goal of decarbonisation because current infrastructure for transport and consumption can be retained. The six organisations participating in the collaboration will bring their respective knowledge and experience to the study.
Image: LNG-fuelled ferry ‘Sunflower Kamui’, operated by MOL Sunflower (source: MOL)
