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"Sunflower Kurenai" and "Sunflower Murasaki" have debuted on the Osaka-Beppu route as pioneers of environmental innovation in Japan's maritime industry. This project, driven by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), aims to inject new energy into the over 110-year-old traditional route and significantly reduce environmental impact. The shift to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fuel is a critical step in decarbonizing the maritime industry and not only represents environmental conservation, but also promotes modal shift, a concept gaining attention in the logistics industry, suggesting a revolution in future transportation methods.
In this blog, we will introduce our initiatives to reduce the environmental impact in two parts, which includes an interview with the person in charge of the LNG-fueled ferry project.

Japan's First LNG-fueled Ferry Debuts on the Osaka-Beppu Route with a History of Over 110 years

1. The large ferry Sunflower Kurenai and its sister ship Sunflower Murasaki, the first in Japan to sail using LNG as fuel, began their commercial voyages in 2023. The names of these two ships are derived from the first generation of cargo and passenger ships over 1000 tons, Kurenai Maru and its sister ship Murasaki Maru, introduced by Osaka Shosen (now Mitsui O.S.K. Lines) on the Osaka-Beppu route in 1912 and 1921 respectively. The first generation was coal-fueled, but the second generation, launched in 1924, was one of the first to introduce diesel engines, ushering in the diesel-powered ships that continue to this day. The third generation, launched in 1960, gained fame as a high-speed ship with a bulbous bow (a protrusion on the bow to reduce wave resistance) and was known as the "Queen of the Seto Inland Sea" due to its luxurious interior.

Japan's first LNG-fueled ferry "Sunflower Kurenai"

First generation "Kurenai Maru", completed in 1900

This time, the two ships inherit not only their names from their predecessors, but also their spirit of innovation. Everything about them is new. Particularly, the development of the land-based LNG fuel supply system and its accompanying contractual concept was a completely fresh experience. However, this challenge made it possible to use LNG as fuel, allowing for the creation of ships with high environmental performance, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 25% and NOx emissions by about 85% compared to conventional methods.

Noriyuki Aoyama of the Marine Fuel GX Division, who was primarily responsible for fuel supply in this project, recalls his feelings when the first ship Kurenai departed from Osaka South Port on January 13th: "My first reaction was a sense of relief."

Consideration of this ship began about five years ago. As a leading company in the maritime industry, MOL has always looked five to ten years into the future when it comes to business ventures. The decision to move away from heavy oil, which had been used without any inconvenience, and push forward with LNG fuel, was a courageous one.

"It was a project that required concentration and dedication, with a cross-departmental team set up within the company, and I felt immense pressure unlike anything before," continues Aoyama.

Wataru Torii, also from the Marine Fuel GX Division, shares, "What I remember is the LNG fuel supply trial conducted about a month before the launch. Tank lorries and a conduit called a skid were connected, and LNG was supplied to the ship... To an outsider, it might have looked like just a meter moving, but everyone, including the representatives from Kyushu Electric Power who were the fuel suppliers, watched in silence for hours in the cold, and that scene is still vividly imprinted in my mind."

Left: Marine Fuel GX Div., Noriyuki Aoyama       Right: Marine Fuel GX Div., Wataru Torii

Contributing to Reduced Environmental Impact: New-Build Ships Enhance Both Cargo Transport and Passenger Services

The most significant feature of these two ferries is that they are the first domestic ferries equipped with high-performance Dual Fuel engines that can use both LNG and heavy oil as fuel. LNG, which is mainly composed of methane, is natural gas cooled to -162℃to liquefy it. Since sulfur is removed in the liquefaction process, burning it emits little sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), and also significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) compared to other fossil fuels.

By using LNG as fuel, these ships have achieved an approximately 25% reduction in CO2 emissions and about 85% reduction in NOx emissions, contributing even more to the environmental benefits of maritime transport.

Image about the environmental contribution by LNG-fueled ships

In terms of transport services, Kurenai and Murasaki have also made significant advancements. Compared to their predecessors on the same route, Aibori and Cobalt, the truck loading capacity has been substantially increased from 92 to 137 units. Furthermore, comfortable facilities for drivers have been introduced. The fully private driver's rooms are equipped with washbasins and beds, and exclusive bath areas are also available. These improvements are expected to promote a modal shift from truck transport to more environmentally friendly maritime and rail transport, and also contribute to improving the working environment for drivers.

Driver's room

Driver-exclusive bath area

Another important aspect not to be overlooked is the enhancement of passenger services in terms of convenience and comfort. Upon boarding, the first thing that catches the eye is the spacious atrium with a three-story staggered structure, stirring up a sense of excitement among travelers. The passenger cabin area has expanded space per capita, and the top 8th-floor cabins include balcony suites like those on cruises. There are also deluxe cabins at the stern for passengers traveling with pets. Another crucial element for comfortable passenger services is the high level of sound insulation achieved through cutting-edge technology.

Aoyama reflected deeply, "The first time I boarded, I was struck by the absence of black smoke from the funnel and realized anew that the LNG-fueled ferry had indeed started operating. There's no smell of oil at all. I think it's a great ship that meets the growing demand for casual cruises after the pandemic."

Three-story atrium inside ferry

Suite room with balcony, bath and toilet

(Continued in part2)

Aiming to Reduce Environmental Impact and Achieve Modal Shift with Japan's First LNG-fueled Ferry (Part 2)

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MOL Sunflower’s, Japan’s largest domestic ferry and coastal RORO company, vision for the future.

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