Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) President & CEO Takeshi Hashimoto today announced that on Sunday, March 16, its operated LNG-fueled car carrier Celeste Ace was supplied with about 500 tons of bio-LNG (LBM: Liquified Bio Methane) fuel from Titan Supply B.V. President Niels den Nijs at the port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. The Celeste Ace will be the first ocean-going vessel operated by a Japanese shipping company to use bio-LNG fuel.

The bio-LNG fuel will have a carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy consumed) of less than zero on a life cycle basis from fuel production to consumption. It has obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU Certification), which covers the European Union (EU) region.

LNG fuel is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 25% compared to conventional fuel oil, but the use of bio-LNG fuel derived from waste and residues, which is also carbon neutral, can further reduce CO2 emissions. Furthermore, bio-LNG fuel represents an effective solution for decarbonising ship operations because methane is the primary component in both LNG and bio-LNG, the existing LNG supply chain infrastructure can be leveraged for transport and consumption.

Caspar Gooren, Commercial Director of Renewable Fuels at Titan, commented, “This bunkering highlights the growing role of LBM in decarbonising international shipping today. With LBM availability expanding, its deep decarbonisation potential, and increasing commercial viability, the LNG pathway offers practical solutions for shipowners and operators. Moreover, with a global maritime leader like MOL putting its commercial weight behind LBM, this is an exciting time for the clean fuels transition.”

MOL Marine Fuel GX Division General Manager Yoshikazu Urushitani said, “We are exploring the use of ammonia and hydrogen fuels as part of our strategy to adopt clean alternative fuels while moving to expand the use of LNG-fueled vessels and more quickly achieve a low-carbon society. We will also be early adopters of bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Partnering with Titan, we will start using bio-LNG to lead the shipping industry in the transition to clean alternative fuels. We remain committed to adopting clean fuels to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050.”