K-Line, NYK Line, Chubu Electric, Toyota Tsusho eye LNG bunkering

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc. Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha announce  that the four companies have begun joint discussions on the commercialization of a new business to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel to ships in the Chubu (central region) of Japan.

LNG is expected to become an important alternative to heavy fuel oil due to its relatively low emissions* of air polluting substances and greenhouse gases, which will enable ships to meet increasingly stringent international regulations on emissions. The four companies will jointly discuss specific LNG customers and supply methods in preparation for the commercialization of LNG bunkering business. 

*Compared to heavy fuel oil, the use of LNG can reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) by approximately 100%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by as much as 80%, and carbon dioxide (CO2) by approximately 30%.