TOKYO—MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. (MOLTech; President: Hirokazu Hatta; Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo), a group company of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Junichiro Ikeda; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), today announced that at the stage of the drawing approval process, the bunkering vessel (name: TBD), for which MOLTech signed a construction contract, has earned the top rating of five stars for its superior environmental performance in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)’s energy conservation rating system for Japanese coastal ships ^{(Note 1)}. The rating reflects the achievement of more than 20% above MILT’s reference value for CO₂ emission reduction. This is the first bunkering vessel in Japan ever to earn five stars.

The bunkering vessel will be equipped with a highly fuel-efficient engine and other cutting-edge energy-saving equipment such as the newly developed energy-saving rudder with bulb fins ^{(Note 2)}, as well as a hull developed to optimize energy efficiency. It is under construction at Hongawara Ship Yard Co., Ltd. (President: Makoto Hongawara; Headquarters: Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture), and is slated to enter service in 2022.

In line with the strategy of “developing our environment and emission-free business into core businesses” as stated in the “Rolling Plan 2020” management plan, the MOL Group strives to reduce the environmental impact of its business activities by moving forward with technology development.

(Note 1) The system aims to “visualize” energy savings and the effects of CO₂ reduction in the vessel planning and design stages and objectively evaluate ships’ environmental performance to foster the development of coastal ships that offer higher energy efficiency and lower CO₂ emissions. The vessel earned the top rating on August 28, 2020, but the company decided to make the announcement when the construction plan was finalized.

(Note 2) The energy-saving rudder with bulb fins is a jointly developed product of MOLTech, MOL, Akishima Laboratories (Mitsui Zosen) Inc. (Akiken), and Japan Hamworthy Co., Ltd. (JHC), a specialized manufacturer of high-lift rudders such as schilling rudders. By taking advantage of the rudder’s steering effect, energy-saving performance was enhanced, and horsepower was improved. It features a rudder horn that is twisted and integrated to increase thrust due to the negative pressure on the rudder. Reducing the size of the end plate under the rudder lowers resistance, while blocking propeller swirl flow as well. It also reduces propeller inflow speed and improves propeller efficiency.
https://www.motech.co.jp/en/information-en/888/

                                                                        Image of the bunkering vessel slated to begin service in 2022

For further information, please contact:
Daisuke Nishiyama
Fuel Department
MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd.
Tel: +81-3-6367-5361