Japanese reveal plans to slash emissions from oil imports

Four Japanese players have joined forces to design and build a low-carbon emission very large crude carrier (VLCC).

Idemitsu Tanker, the shipping affiliate of Japan’s second-biggest oil refiner, Idemitsu Kosan, has formed a consortium with fellow shipping lines Iino and NYK and builder Nippon Shipyard with the goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions in a VLCC by more than 40% compared to conventional tankers.

Over 90% of Japan’s crude imports come from the Middle East, and the consortium partners emphasized that oil continues to be essential from the perspective of a stable energy supply.

The four companies said they aim to minimise shipping emissions in this trading route via a malaccamax, a vessel design that is optimised for VLCCs linking the Middle East to Japan through the Malacca Strait.

Dubbed the next-generation VLCC, the ship’s concept is expected to include alternative fuels, onboard carbon capture and wind-assisted propulsion.