Going forward, the Japanese shipping company NYK will exclusively bunker bio-LNG on its liquefied natural gas-powered car carriers. The fuel will be supplied by the Dutch company Titan in the Antwerp-Zeebrugge region.
The first NYK ship to successfully bunker bio-LNG there was the “Daisy Leader” in June, followed recently by the “Sumire Leader”. Unlike fossil liquid gas, bio-LNG is liquefied methane gas that can be obtained from biological raw materials such as manure and food waste. By capturing methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced over the entire life cycle, according to NYK.
The bio-LNG fuel supplied by Titan is recognized as carbon neutral throughout the entire process from production to consumption (well-to-wake) and is ISCC EU-certified, an international sustainability standard that ensures compliance with EU regulations and traceability along the entire supply chain.
“I would like to express my sincere respect for NYK’s decision to use Bio-LNG,” said Titan CEO Niels den Nijs. “Titan’s mission is to provide solutions that help the shipping industry transition to cleaner fuels. We are very pleased to accelerate our decarbonization efforts together with NYK through this increase.”
Kaori Takahashi, General Manager of NYK Fuel Group, also expressed confidence in the switch to a bio-based alternative. “Bio-LNG fuel is a highly effective option for decarbonizing the shipping industry, and we will continue to actively promote its use,” he said. “This initiative is an important step towards further reducing our environmental impact and creating a sustainable future.”
NYK plans net zero by 2050
NYK (Nippon Yūsen Kabushiki-gaisha) is one of the largest shipping companies in the world and is active in numerous segments, including container and bulk shipping. In April, Meyer Werft also delivered the cruise ship “Asuka III” to NYK Cruises.
The company is pursuing a decarbonization strategy that aims to achieve complete climate neutrality by 2050. “The increased use of bio-LNG is one of the most important initiatives to achieve this goal,” says NYK. The company will continue to advocate the use of environmentally friendly fuels in order to promote the sustainability of shipping.
