NS United orders methanol-fueled bulk carrier in Japan

Japanese shipping company NS United Kaiun Kaisha (NS United) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with compatriot companies Nippon Shipyard (NSY), Imabari Shipbuilding, and Japan Marine United Corporation for the construction of a methanol-powered bulk carrier.

As informed, the ship will be a Capesize bulk carrier which will use dual methanol fuel. The bulker represents a next-generation fuel vessel, jointly studied by NSY and NS United.

According to NS United, the 300-meter-long ship will feature a deadweight of 209,000 tons and it will be used for the transportation of raw materials in Japan and overseas.

The vessel will adapt Phase 3 of EEDI (which could mean a 30% reduction in CO2 emission efficiency compared to EEDI standards), which is enforced to bulk carriers entering into shipbuilding contracts in 2025 and later.

Methanol is expected to contribute to the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction strategy set forth by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is being developed as a marine fuel by maritime industries and fuel producers.

Since the use of green methanol as a marine fuel is expected to reduce GHG emissions by more than 80% compared to conventional heavy fuel oil, NS United aims to cooperate with many related companies involved in fuel development to procure green methanol.

The expected time frame for the delivery is 2027 or later.

“The implementation of dual-fuel methanol vessel is an important milestone toward achieving our environmental goal of achieving GHG Net Zero by 2050,” according to NS United.

Last month, NS United signed a memorandum of understanding with several Japanese companies and German engine specialist MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) to commercialize ammonia-fueled bulk carriers.