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Start of LNG Bunkering Business2020/10/21

JERA Co., Inc. (“JERA”) has started an LNG bunkering business in the Chubu region of Japan through its Central LNG* joint venture with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (“NYK”).

 

On 20 October, the Central LNG-owned LNG bunkering vessel Kaguya supplied LNG to Sakura Leader, an LNG-fueled PCTC (pure car and truck carrier) operated by NYK that is under construction at Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. This is the first time LNG fuel has been supplied through ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in Japan.

 

Kaguya supplying LNG fuel to Sakura Leader (under construction) on 20 October 2020. Courtesy of Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping by at least 50 percent by 2050 compared to 2008, and many LNG-fueled ships are expected to be produced going forward. JERA, together with its business partners, established Central LNG in May 2018 in preparation for the launch of its LNG bunkering business. Construction of Japan's first LNG bunkering vessel, Kaguya, began at Sakaide Works (Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.) in July 2018 and was turned over to Central LNG this September.

 

The LNG fuel supplied by Kaguya was loaded between 16 and 17 October this year at JERA’s Kawagoe Thermal Power Station. Existing facilities at Kawagoe Thermal Power Station were modified beginning in July 2018 to coincide with the start of the LNG bunkering business. Going forward, Kaguya will be based at Kawagoe Thermal Power Station as Central LNG further develops the LNG bunkering business in the Chubu region.

 

Kaguya loading LNG at Kawagoe Thermal Power Station on 16 October 2020. Kaguya is 81.7 meters long and 18.0 meters wide with an LNG cargo capacity of 3,500 m3 and gross tonnage of 4,044 tons.

JERA will continue to provide a stable supply of LNG fuel to Central LNG while driving the conversion of ships to LNG fuel by promoting the LNG bunkering business through this joint venture, thereby helping to reduce the impact on the environment.

 

*Central LNG is the umbrella name for the two corporate entities making up the joint venture: Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation and Central LNG Shipping Japan Corporation. (https://central-lng.com/en/)

 

 

 

LNG Fuel Supply Chain