Award for Japan’s First LNG-fueled Tugboat

Japan’s first LNG-fueled tugboat, Sakigake, is at the heart of the 17th annual Logistics Environment

Award’s Technological Development Award presented to NYK, Wing Maritime Service Corporation

and Keihin Dock Co. Ltd. Sponsored by the Japan Federation of Freight Industries (JFFI), the award

recognized the environmental load reduction achieved by Sakigake.

NYK has been conducting technical research and development on the use of LNG to fuel ships in

order to meet the tightened regulations on CO2 emissions from vessels. Applicable emission limits

were reduced from 1.0% to 0.1% in 2015 in certain emission control areas, or ECAs (the North Sea,

the Baltic Sea area, and areas around North America). Outside the ECAs, emission limits will be

reduced from the current limit of 3.5% to 0.5% in 2020 or 2025.

Sakigake, which was delivered in August 2015 and comes equipped with dual-fuel engines that can

use either LNG or diesel oil, was highly evaluated by the JFFI because LNG fuel has much less of an

environmental impact compared with heavy fuel oil.

Use of LNG almost completely eliminates SOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions, and the

operation of LNG-fueled vessels can result in a reduction of nearly all SOx and PM emissions

compared to emissions by vessels powered with conventional heavy fuel oil. Use of LNG can also

reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 30% and can reduce NOx emissions by up to 80%. The

widespread adoption of LNG is thus considered to be an influential measure by ships to control

greenhouse gas emissions.

In accordance with the NYK Group’s “More Than Shipping 2018” medium-term management plan,

NYK has been implementing a number of creative solutions, such as the construction of the world’s

first LNG-fueled car carrier and LNG bunkering vessel. NYK has also teamed with Engie and the

Mitsubishi Corporation to develop the LNG bunkering business, and will contribute to the continuing

promotion and development of LNG fuel for ships for reduced environmental loads.

NGS INDIA