MOL's LNG-fuelled tugboat Ishin marks 100th LNG bunkering

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a Japanese shipping company, announced on July 12 that its LNG-fuelled tugboat, Ishin, has reached a significant milestone of completing 100 LNG bunkering operations at the Port of Sakai-Semboku in Osaka. It bunkered LNG fuel for the first time in February 2019. 

The tugboat, owned by MOL and operated by its subsidiary Nihon Tug-Boat Co., has been in service since 2019. The naming ceremony of Ishin was held in October 2018. 

Ishin primarily operates in harbor towage and escort operations for large freighters and other vessels at the Port of Sakai-Semboku. It receives carbon-neutral LNG from Osaka Gas and Daigas Energy through the truck-to-ship system. Ishin received carbon-neutral LNG for the first time in September 2021. 

MOL said it has been implementing a clean alternative energy strategy to achieve decarbonisation and low carbonisation. The company’s goal is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As part of this strategy, MOL has been actively introducing LNG-fuelled vessels and will continue to expand their usage to reduce total GHG emissions.