Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received orders from Toyofuji Shipping (Aichi Prefecture) and Fukuju Shipping (Shizuoka Prefecture) for Japan’s first methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo ships.
These vessels will be constructed at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with completion and delivery scheduled by the end of fiscal year 2027.
Furthermore, the ships will be approximately 169.9 meters in length and 30.2 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of 15,750 and the capacity to carry around 2,300 passenger vehicles.
To reduce propulsion resistance, the ships will feature a windscreen at the bow and a vertical stem. Fuel efficiency will be enhanced through MHI’s proprietary energy-saving technology, which combines high-efficiency propellers and high-performance rudders with reduced resistance.
The main engine will be a high-performance dual-fuel engine capable of using both methanol and heavy fuel oil, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 10% compared to similar ships powered solely by fuel oil.
Moreover, this contributes to a lower environmental impact, and the potential use of green methanol in the future may further reduce CO2 emissions throughout the fuel’s lifecycle. While methanol-fuelled RORO ships are already in service globally, this marks the first construction of such vessels for coastal service in Japan.
Additionally, the increased vehicle loading and transport capacity per voyage compared to conventional vessels will allow for more flexible ship allocation schedules, providing more holiday and rest time for the crew and contributing to improved working conditions.
