LNG Bunkering Vessel for Kyushu and Setouchi Area Named and Launched
On July 12, KEYS Bunkering West Japan Corporation ("KEYS"),* a joint venture established by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., NYK Line, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD., and Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "the parties"), held a ceremony to name and launch an LNG bunkering vessel.** The vessel is under construction at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works' Enoura Plant owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
KEYS welcomed guests from the parties as well as Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Coast Guard, and the cities of Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki, among others. The vessel was named "KEYS Azalea" after the azalea, the official flower of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, where KEYS is based.
From the left :
1st: Takashi Mitsuyoshi, Executive Officer Deputy Director Planning & Balance Optimization Division, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. & President, KEYS Bunkering West Japan Corporation
2nd: Yukinori Michinaga, President, Saibu Gas Co., Ltd.
3rd: Kenji Okada, Representative Director Chairman, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD.
4th: Hitoshi Nagasawa, Chairman & Director, NYK Line
5th: Masahiro Inada, Director-General, Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
6th: Kazuhiro Ikebe, President &Chief Executive Officer, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
8th: Kenichi Matsumura, Deputy Commander, 7th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters
9th: Toru Kitamura, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd
After delivery in March 2024, the vessel will participate in the LNG coastal transportation business, in addition to LNG bunkering for oceangoing vessels calling at ports in the Kyushu-Setouchi area. This will be Japan's first LNG bunkering project to supply LNG to vessels over the vast Kyushu and Setouchi area.
Area for planned LNG bunkering by KEYS Azalea
KEYS Azalea will be Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that can operate on both LNG and fuel oil. The use of LNG fuel offers excellent environmental performance compared with traditional marine fuels. It is expected to be a bridge solution for decarbonization, virtually eliminating sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions and reducing approximately 80% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as 30% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Vessel Particulars
| Name | KEYS Azalea |
|---|---|
| LOA | 82.4 meters |
| Beam | 18.2 meters |
| Draft | 4.8 meters |
| Gross Tonnage | about 4,850 tons |
| LNG Loadable Capacity | 3,500 cubic meters |
| Driving Power | Electricity (dual-fuel engine (consuming LNG or fuel oil)) |
| Delivery | March 2024 |
| Builder | Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.*** |
* KEYS Bunkering West Japan Corporation
| Headquarters: | Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan |
|---|---|
| Representative: | Takashi Mitsuyoshi |
| Details of business: | sales of LNG fuel, owner of LNG bunkering vessel |
| Stockholders: | Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. 40%; NYK Line 40%, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD. 15%, Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. 5% |
| Establishment: | February 2, 2023 |
** LNG bunkering vessel
A small vessel supplying LNG fuel to LNG-fueled vessels
*** Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
| Headquarters: | Yokohama, Japan |
|---|---|
| Stockholders: | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 100% |
Company Overviews
| Company Name | Kyushu Electric Power Company, Incorporated |
NYK Line | ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD. | SAIBU GAS CO.,LTD. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Kazuhiro lkebe | Takaya Soga | Tomofumi Yoshida | Yukinori Michinaga |
| Head Office | Chuo-ku, Fukuoka | Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | Hakata-ku, Fukuoka |