Aiming to Reduce the Environmental Impact of LNG-Fueled Vessels Furthe
In September, NYK participated as a key partner in the Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative, an initiative to reduce methane emissions in the maritime industry.
MAMII is led by Safetytech Accelerator, a non-profit organization established by Lloyd’s Register Group. Since MAMII’s establishment in September 2022, 16 companies and organizations, including NYK, have participated.
In its first year, the initiative has produced a methane strategy landscape report covering methane regulatory requirements, ‘Well to Tank’ and ‘Tank to Wake’ analysis*, and cost benefit analysis.
Since LNG fuel can reduce CO2 emissions by 25% compared to conventional heavy oil fuel, NYK has positioned LNG fuel as one of the bridge solutions until the realization of zero-emission ships in the future and is thus promoting the use of LNG-fueled vessels. On the other hand, methane slip, methane gas emissions from LNG into the atmosphere, is a critical issue for reducing greenhouse gas.
NYK has been the first to adopt a next-generation dual-fuel engine that can reduce the amount of methane slip by about half compared to conventional systems. In addition, NYK has been actively working to reduce further the environmental impact of LNG-fueled vessels, such as the introduction of shaft generators that can generate electricity using the rotation of the shaft connected from the main engine to the propeller during voyages and the battery hybrid system, which contributes to the efficient operation of the main engine and power generation engine.
Through its participation in MAMII, NYK will contribute to decarbonizing the maritime industry through co-creation with partners who share the same goals and issues.
*‘Well to Tank’ and ‘Tank to Wake’ analysis
“Well to Tank” means a set of processes from digging fossil fuel to filling the fuel tank at ports, and “Tank to Wake” stands for a set of operations from the fuel tank at ports to consuming on ships. To reduce GHG emissions throughout its supply chain, the analysis of GHG emissions based on ‘Well to Tank’ and ‘Tank to Wake’ are currently highlighted.
