MOL Group Orders World’s Largest Ammonia-loadable LPG Vessels

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  • Ships scheduled for delivery after 2023
  • MOL also to launch 90 LNG-fueled ships by 2030
  • Ammonia garnering attention as next generation clean fuel

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), in their press release, announced that its group company Phoenix Tankers Pte. Ltd. has signed a deal with Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for the construction of two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia.

LPG fuel to cut carbon emissions

Namura Shipbuilding will construct the two vessels at its Imari Shipyard, under a technical tie-up with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. The vessels, which can also run on LPG fuel, are slated for delivery in succession after 2023.

LPG, as fuel, can reduce CO2 emissions by about 20%, and SOx, PM, and so on by about 90% in comparison with fuel oil.

The new carriers are designed to maximize fuel efficiency, and are cutting-edge environmental-friendly vessels in conformity with EEDI Phase 3which will be applicable for VLGCs contracted after 2022.

Net zero GHG emissions with ammonia

Ammonia is drawing attention as a next-generation clean fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, and as “hydrogen carrier” that can be used to transport hydrogen. 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.

Addressing environmental issues in line with MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.1, the MOL Group implements ongoing group-wide efforts to achieve sustainable net zero GHG emissions, and contributes to the realization of a low-carbon society.

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Source: MOL