The Japanese shipping company Kokuka Sangyo has received its first methanol-fueled vessel named Kokuryu Maru. This ship, with a capacity of 1,200 tons, will not only transport methanol but will also operate as a methanol bunkering ship in Japan.
Bunkering Operations at Kinoe Port
The initial bunkering operation of this ship took place on September 24, 2026, at Kinoe Port in Hiroshima Prefecture. In this operation, the Kokuryu Maru was bunkered with mass-balanced bio-methanol. This bio-methanol was produced at the Mitsubishi Gas Chemical plant in Niigata and physically supplied.
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The Role of Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
The Kokuryu Maru will be operated on a charter basis by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical. The company plans to use this vessel for the transportation and supply of methanol throughout Japan. Additionally, the ship will utilize bio-methanol as fuel in its operations.
Given the increasing demand for renewable fuels and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, methanol-fueled ships are rapidly expanding in the maritime industry. The Kokuryu Maru symbolizes Japan's commitment to using clean fuels and improving environmental performance in the shipping sector.
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