Biofuel-Powered Lng Carrier Set for First Sea Trials This Year

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced today that its group company, AQUARIUS LNG SHIPPING LIMITED conducted sea trials on a new owned LNG carrier, Papua, using biofuel made from vegetable oil to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions. The ship’s journey was supported with approximately 1,500 tons of biofuel supplied by ExxonMobil Marine Limited at Port of Singapore.

Marine biofuel is a 0.50% sulfur residual-based fuel (VLSFO) that has had up to 25% waste-based fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Marine biofuel has been accredited by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC).

In 2015, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. built Papua to provide LNG transportation for the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea. MOL has been operating Papua under a long-term charter contract, which they’ve signed with ExxonMobil.

The MOL Group’s new environmental strategy is called “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1”. In this vision, the company knows that a clean future can’t be built unless they reduce greenhouse gas emissions in ocean transport. They take a proactive stance in promoting the adoption of clean fuels like biofuel by taking strides to shift fuel usage from fossil fuels to alternative sources.