Japanese operator Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has announced that it reached an agreement with Shin Kurushima Dockyard and Nihon Shipyard to build four 7,000-unit capacity car carriers using LNG as their main fuel.

The announcement follows several other announcements confirming orders by the company for LNG-fuelled car carriers, ferries, bulkers and tugs. In all MOL has plans to launch about 90 LNG-fuelled vessels by 2030, under its strategy calling for “Adoption of Clean Alternative Fuels”. In a statement the company said, “In addition to the LNG-fuelled vessel projects that the MOL Group has been working on, we will promote the use of LNG-fuel for car carriers, starting with this decision”.

The statement also said MOL is accelerating its preparations for the launch of environment-friendly vessels using not only LNG fuel but also biofuels which are reaching the practical application stage, while continuing to research the use of ammonia and other next-generation fuels. It will make further efforts with the aim of becoming the company of choice for various stakeholders, by delivering a new value—zero-emission transport of cars.