Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has decided to expand its fleet with an additional five newbuilding dual-fuelled Capesize bulkers, which can burn either LNG or conventional marine fuel oil.
Two of the vessels will be ordered at Nihon Shipyard and built by Imabari Shipbuilding and three will be built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China. The vessels are scheduled for delivery from 2026 to 2027. Including these five vessels, MOL will add a total of 13 LNG-fuelled Capesize bulkers in their fleet.
One such vessel has been operating for MOL since March 2023 for which MOL has supplied LNG fuel.
MOL sees LNG as a pathway to decarbonisation, as compared to conventional marine fuel oil, LNG is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 25%, SOx by 100%, and NOx by about 85%. LNG has a proven track record of being used as marine fuel.
The MOL Group has set the target of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050, and in line with this is expanding its LNG-fuelled fleet, with car carriers, bulk carriers, tankers, ferries, and tugboats. The group will further expand the adoption of LNG-fuelled vessels as an initiative that it can take immediately, and accelerate its efforts to reduce total GHG emissions, making steady Progress towards its goal of 90 LNG/methanol vessels by 2030
