Japanese maritime leaders NYK, Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Lines, and Nihon Shipyard have introduced a concept for Japan's first Malacca Max very large crude carrier (VLCC) that runs on methanol. This eco-friendly design, created as part of a collaborative R&D effort launched in January, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 40%.
Key features of the vessel's design include a dual-fuel main engine capable of running on both methanol and heavy oil, a shaft generator, and an optional wind propulsion system. These technologies help the ship meet and exceed Phase 3 Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) regulations, set to take effect in 2025, by reducing CO2 emissions more than 40% against the baseline.
The 309,400 dwt VLCC, measuring 339.5 meters in length and 60 meters in breadth, is seen as a step toward Japan's goal of achieving carbon-neutral shipping by 2050. Moving forward, the consortium will explore further studies and look into phased shipbuilding orders to quickly allocate these next-generation VLCCs to oil transport for Japanese refineries.