On November 5, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel Kaguya conducted its 100th ship-to-ship supply of LNG fuel. This notable achievement occurred with the refueling of the car carrier Sakura Leader at the port of Mikawa in Aichi Prefecture.

Kaguya was completed in 2020 as Japan's first LNG bunkering vessel and is operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Co., Ltd., a JV company among NYK, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., JERA Co., Inc., and others. Since October of the same year, the vessel has been part of Japan's first LNG bunkering business* using the ship-to-ship supply method.** Kaguya is currently based at the Kawagoe Thermal Power Station in Mie Prefecture.

The NYK Group is utilizing the knowledge and know-how it has gained through many years of LNG transport to continually work on fuel conversion to LNG as one of the solutions for environmental response. We will continue to work with various stakeholders and contribute to forming a carbon-neutral society and developing Japan's LNG bunkering business by promoting the construction of an LNG fuel value chain at important bases around the world.

LNG cargo tank capacity: 3,500 m3
Gross tonnage: 4,044 tons
Length overall: 81.7 m
Breadth: 18.0 m
Shipyard: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Sakaide Works

For more information about Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation and Central LNG Shipping Japan Corporation, please visit the following website:
https://central-lng.com/en/

* Merits of LNG
Compared to heavy fuel oil, the use of LNG can reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) by approximately 100%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by as much as 80%, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) by approximately 30%.

** Ship-to-Ship Bunkering
A method of bunkering where an LNG bunkering vessel comes alongside an LNG-fueled vessel to supply LNG. This can be done at various locations, such as along the quay or pier or at anchor.