The vessel measures 339.5m in length, 60m in breadth, and 28.6m in depth. Credit: NYK Line.

A consortium of Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard has developed a design concept for Japan’s first Malacca Max-type very large crude oil carrier (VLCC).

This vessel will utilise methanol as an alternative fuel.

The vessel has an overall length of 339.5m, a breadth of 60m, and a depth of 28.6m, with a scantling draught of 21m and a deadweight of around 309,400t.

It can be fitted with a rotor sail wind propulsion system, as shown in the design image shared by NYK.

The vessel will feature a shaft generator and a dual-fuel main engine capable of using both methanol and heavy oil.

Methanol is anticipated to support the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction strategy by lowering CO2 emissions by about 15% compared to conventional fuel oil, according to the company.

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Using green methanol such as bio-methanol from biomass and synthetic methanol (e-methanol) produced from renewable hydrogen and captured CO2 can achieve net zero CO2 emissions.

With these specifications, the vessel can achieve more than 40% CO2 reduction compared to the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reference line, exceeding the Phase III requirement of over 30%, effective from 2025.

The four companies will carry out further studies on the design concept to attain the international shipping goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

They will also pursue strategically phased shipbuilding orders for this next-generation eco-friendly VLCC and allocate vessels for crude oil transport to Japanese refineries as soon as possible.

In April 2023, Orca AI collaborated with NYK Group to improve safety across its fleet.