Kinkai Yusen Kaisha to demonstrate B24 use on RoRo vessel at Port of Hakata, Japan

Kinkai Yusen Kaisha Ltd. announced June 9 that it will conduct a demonstration voyage using biofuel—refueled at the Port of Hakata, Japan—on the RoRo vessel Nanotsu, which operates between the Port of Hakata and the Port of Tsuruga.

The voyage is scheduled for June 16.

This initiative marks the first time a scheduled domestic RoRo vessel will operate using biofuel refueled at the Port of Hakata.

The B24 blend is expected to reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions without requiring major modifications to existing ship equipment.

The biofuel procurement will be carried out with the cooperation of Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd. and Itochu Enex Co. Ltd.

“We are actively working to reduce our environmental impact,” Kinkai Yusen Kaisha stated. “As part of this effort—and in addition to promoting a modal shift—we have focused on biofuels, which are considered to contribute to decarbonization and can be used in existing vessels. … Biofuels are regarded as a highly practical fuel option because they can be used without requiring major modifications to existing engines or fuel supply infrastructure.”