MOL receives new dual-fuel methanol vessel in South Korea

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has taken delivery of a new dual-fuel methanol carrier at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea.

Named Cypress Sun, the vessel has been designed to operate using both methanol and traditional heavy fuel.

Canada-based Waterfront Shipping Company (WFS) will charter the vessel from MOL under a long-term charter contract.

Cypress Sun is a sister carrier to Capilano Sun, which is also chartered by MOL to WFS and was delivered in 2021.

Cypress Sun is 186.07m long, 32.20m wide and can carry 49,999 tons of cargo.

The use of methanol as fuel can minimize the emissions of Sulphur oxide (SOX) by around 99%, particulate matter (PM) by nearly 95%, nitrogen oxide (NOx) by up to 80% and carbon dioxide (CO₂) by approximately 15% compared to traditional marine oil, according to MOL.

MOL’s current fleet of vessels includes 19 methanol carriers.

The company also claims to run five of the 23 methanol dual-fuel tankers that are currently in service across the globe.

The latest development comes shortly after an announcement made by MOL regarding Japan’s first ferry powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) starting operations.

Named Sunflower Kurenai, the vessel is owned by MOL and run by its affiliate Ferry Sunflower.

Earlier this month, MOL also reached agreements with Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) and Hokkaido Gas for the supply of LNG to two of its new build ferries.

Reference:

1. ship-technology