Japan mulls LNG bunkering hub in Yokohama

10.06.16. Japan’s Ministry for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has launched a feasibility study for LNG bunkering in port of Yokohama.
This is the first LNG bunkering development project in the country. Japan is the world’s largest LNG importing country and major Japanese ports already have several LNG tanks.
Last year, deepsea carrier NYK Line introduced a LNG-fuelled tug boat in Yokohama, with Tokyo Gas – one of the country’s largest gas companies – supplying the fuel from a truck.
Port of Yokohama is designated as an International Container Hub by MLIT along with the ports of Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo and Kawasaki. In March 2016, MLIT, Yokohama City Office and Kawasaki City Office established a new government owned port operating company, Yokohama Kawasaki International Port Corporation (YKIP) headed by Masamichi Morooka, ex-chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), to strengthen the operational capability of these ports.
The government announced its ‘Strategy for LNG Market Development’ at a G7 energy ministers meeting (EMM) in May. The promotion of LNG bunkering was launched as a part of this strategy.
In response to this, MLIT established a new steering committee involving Tokyo Gas, NYK Line, YKIP and related authorities. The first meeting was held on 9 June. It will formulate a facility development plan by the end of this year.