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NEWS BULLETIN
TANKER SHIPPING
MOL CUTS EMISSIONS
Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has strengthened its focus on sustainable shipping operations across its sectors, recently announcing further use of LNG propulsion in bulkers and car carriers, and also reaching agreement with Methanex Corp to take a 40 per cent interest in its Waterfront Shipping (WFS) subsidiary for $145m. WFS operates some 30 modern tankers dedicated to the transport of methanol. MOL and Methanex have had a strategic partnership for more than 30 years and were instrumental in developing tankers capable of running on methanol as fuel. Now, with the position of Methanex as the world’s largest producer of methanol, WFS as the largest specialist methanol shipper and MOL’s extensive shipping experience, the various parties aim to promote the uptake of methanol, including renewable methanol, as a viable marine fuel.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with MOL, a world leading shipping company, which will enable Waterfront Shipping to enhance its capabilities by leveraging MOL’s extensive global shipping experience,” says John Floren, president/CEO of Methanex. “We have worked with MOL for over 30 years on methanol shipping since the era of Cape Horn Methanol, a predecessor to Methanex’s Chile operations, and we are confident that our new strategic relationship will help develop the market for methanol as a lower emission marine fuel.” Takeshi Hashimoto, president of MOL, says: “MOL is pleased to partner and deepen our long-standing relationship with Methanex, the leader in the methanol industry. This transaction is consistent with MOL’s Environmental Vision 2.1, which regards our active involvement in methanol-fuelled ships as one of the measures for adopting clean alternative fuels.”
In addition, MOL unit Phoenix Tankers has ordered an 87,000-m3 VLGC from Namura Shipbuilding, with an option for a second vessel, with delivery slated for 2023. The new ships, designed by Namura and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, will be used to carry both LPG and ammonia; they will be fitted with engines capable of running on LPG, with the potential to be converted to run on ammonia. “Ammonia is drawing attention as a next-generation clean fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, and as a ‘hydrogen carrier’ that can be used to transport hydrogen,” states MOL. “The newly ordered vessels are also designed to transport ammonia and are presently the world’s largest-scale ammonia carriers. Furthermore, the vessels will be built with an eye toward conversion to ammonia fuelled in the future because LPG and ammonia fuels have similar characteristics.” www.mol.co.jp CONCORDIA’S SHALLOW DRAFT
Concordia Damen has launched the first of 40 inland waterway barges being built by Casco in Serbia. The Parsifal-class tankers will be chartered to Shell and operated by VT Group carrying mineral oil between the ARA ports and on the Rhine network. The new barges (pictured left, en route) feature LNG propulsion and are designed for extremely shallow water operation. “We are pleased to have reached this milestone in this important project. The Parsifal Tankers represent a new generation of eco-conscious vessels that will play a significant role in the maritime energy transition,” says Chris Kornet, CEO of Concordia Damen. “We are looking forward to continuing to develop this project in the coming months.” www.concordiadamen.com
HCB MONTHLY | SEPTEMBER 2021
