- Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has tapped Oshima Shipbuilding to build a panamax bulk carrier to transport woody biomass for energy as its main cargo.
- The new vessel, slated for delivery in 2023, is in pre-compliance with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) that will be adopted in 2025.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd, in its press release, announced that it plans to procure a newbuilding Panamax bulker to transport woody biomass for energy as its main cargo, in light of stronger demand for “carbon neutral” biomass fuels, especially by power companies in Japan.
EEDI compliance vessels
The vessel will meet the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 that will enter into force from 2025.
MOL said that the ship was scheduled to be completed in 2023 at compatriot shipyard Oshima Shipbuilding Co.
Cargo handling boosted
According to MOL, the bulker will have a reinforced mooring equipment and a wide-opening hatch design to boost the efficiency of cargo handling and is more suitable for the transportation of woody biomass for energy for Japanese power companies.
The MOL Power Solution & Carbon Project Division, established in April this year, will be in charge of the business operation for the newbuilding vessel, provision of transport plans, and ship operation.
“Woody biomass for energy is a plant-derived fuel, and regarded as one that can realise a carbon neutral state, based on the concept that burning these fuels does not increase the CO2 concentration because carbon previously absorbed by trees is returned to the air,” MOL said.
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Source: MOL
