Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with compatriot car exporter Be Forward for pure car carrier book and claim service for used car transport to Africa.
MOL explained that Be Forward, as the first customer to use this service, has agreed to promote the decarbonization of maritime transport by using LNG-fueled vessels through this project.
The contract term is five years, starting in April 2025.
Specifically, the MoU will enable Be Forward, the company that transports used cars to Africa, to claim the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction value associated with the use of LNG as fuel in MOL’s car carrier fleet as its own GHG reduction through a certificate.
“While MOL will continue to reduce its own GHG emissions through the launch of new LNG-fueled car carriers, it will pursue initiatives that contribute to GHG emission reduction for its stakeholders as with its partnership with Be Forward, and society as a whole, aiming to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050,” the Japanese carrier said.
In December 2024, MOL received third-party certification for its book and claim service for pure car carriers following an audit by compatriot classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK). It is understood that this was the first time that ClassNK has granted such book and claim methodology certification in the Japanese maritime shipping industry.
In related news, the shipping company ordered a total of eight 7,000 CEU LNG-powered pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) which are being delivered in succession between 2024 and 2025. In March 2024, MOL took delivery of Cerulean Ace, the first newbuild in the company’s BLUE series.