Four Japanese companies have started joint discussions to start a new business to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel to ships in the Chubu region of Japan.
K Line, NYK, Chubu Electric and Toyota Tsusho said in a joint statement that LNG is expected to become an important alternative to heavy fuel oil due to its relatively low carbon footptint, which will enable ships to meet increasingly stringent international regulations on emissions.
“The four companies will jointly discuss specific LNG customers and supply methods in preparation for the commercialization of LNG bunkering business,” the statement said.
Japan is the world’s largest buyer of liquefied natural gas. The country imported 83.63 million tonnes of LNG in 2017, a rise of 0.4 percent as compared to the year before.