Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has announced a long-term time charter agreement for a newly ordered LNG-fueled very large crude carrier (VLCC) with Idemitsu Tanker . Set to be constructed at Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. in China, this vessel will be the first LNG dual-fuel VLCC to serve a Japanese oil company, marking a significant development in the industry. Delivery of the vessel is expected in 2027.
The choice to invest in an LNG-fueled vessel aligns with MOL's "Environmental Vision 2.2," which targets achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The adoption of LNG fuel is part of MOL's wider strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25-30% compared to conventional fuel oil. By 2030, MOL plans to operate 90 LNG/methanol-fueled vessels, a leap from the current 40.
The ordered VLCC will have a deadweight tonnage of about 309,000 tons, a length of approximately 339.50 meters, and a breadth of 60 meters. This agreement with Idemitsu Tanker is a step forward for MOL in encouraging the broader adoption of LNG as a low-carbon fuel in the shipping industry, with the aim to lessen the environmental impact of maritime operations.

Source: https://www.mol.co.jp/en/pr/2025/25047.html