Toyota to deploy LNG-fueled car carriers

Toyota Motor Corporation urges three major Japanese shipping lines to use LNG-fueled car carriers for transporting its cars, in a bid to support stringent environmental regulations and greater awareness of emissions.

Under the automotive giant’s initiative, Toyota’s shipping subsidiary, Toyofuji Shipping, NYK Line, and ‘K’ Line are set to order around 20 LNG-fueled car carriers over the next few years, with three to six vessels gradually at a time.

Out of the 60 carriers Toyota is currently operating per month, at least 20 will be replaced, according to Nikkei. The ships are powered with bunker C fuel oil, which has a high content of sulphur, so the new ships are expected to comply with the sulphur limit set by IMO, as per 1st January 2020.

In the meantime, the stricter regulations globally on marine shipping spur the LNG business in Japan. The port of Yokohama, one of the busiest in the country, is looking at launching LNG bunkering, while Japanese Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, NYK Line and ‘K’ Line have joined LNG bunkering projects.