KEYS Bunkering Unveils Japan’s First Dual-Fuel LNG Bunkering Vessel, The LNG Bunkering Vessel is planned for Kyushu and Setouchi Area and Named “KEYS Azalea”.
On July 12, KEYS Bunkering West Japan Corporation, a joint venture established by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., NYK Line, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD., and Saibu Gas Co., Ltd., held a ceremony to name and launch an LNG bunkering vessel. The vessel is under construction at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works Enoura Plant owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
KEYS Bunkering welcomed guests from the parties as well as Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Coast Guard, and the cities of Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki, among others. The vessel was named “KEYS Azalea” after the azalea, the official flower of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, where KEYS Bunkering is based.
After delivery in March 2024, the vessel will participate in the LNG coastal transportation business, in addition to LNG bunkering for oceangoing vessels calling at ports in the Kyushu-Setouchi area. This will be Japan’s first LNG bunkering project to supply LNG to vessels over the vast Kyushu and Setouchi area.
KEYS Azalea will be Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that can operate on both LNG and fuel oil. The use of LNG fuel offers excellent environmental performance compared with traditional marine fuels. It is expected to be a bridge solution for decarbonization, virtually eliminating sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions and reducing approximately 80% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as 30% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Vessel Particulars
Name: KEYS Azalea
LOA: 82.4 meters
Beam: 18.2 meters
Draft: 4.8 meters
Gross Tonnage: about 4,850 tons
LNG Loadable Capacity: 3,500 cubic meters
Driving Power: Electricity (dual-fuel engine (consuming LNG or fuel oil))
Delivery: March 2024
Builder: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
KEYS Bunkering West Japan is a coastal shipping company that supplies and sells LNG (liquefied natural gas) as marine fuel on a ship-to-ship basis. We own and operate our fuel supply vessels.
This is the first LNG fuel supply business in western Japan, covering a broad area ranging from Kyushu Island to the Seto Inland Sea region. We will contribute to the implementation of a carbon-neutral society by meeting a broad range of customer needs while supplying LNG to a wide variety of vessels calling at ports in western Japan.
Source KEYS Bunkering West Japan