2023.07.12

LNG Bunkering Vessel for Kyushu and Setouchi Area Named and Launched

On July 12, KEYS Bunkering West Japan Ltd.("KEYS"),* a joint venture established by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., NYK Line, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD., and Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "the parties"), held a ceremony to name and launch an LNG bunkering vessel.** The vessel is under construction at Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works' Enoura Plant owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

KEYS welcomed guests from the parties as well as Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Coast Guard, and the cities of Kitakyushu and Shimonoseki, among others. The vessel was named “KEYS Azalea” after the azalea, the official flower of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture, where KEYS is based.



From the left :
1st: Takashi Mitsuyoshi, Executive Officer Deputy Director Planning & Balance Optimization Division, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. & President, KEYS Bunkering West Japan Ltd.
2nd: Yukinori Michinaga, President, Saibu Gas Co., Ltd.
3rd: Kenji Okada, Representative Director Chairman, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD.
4th: Hitoshi Nagasawa, Chairman & Director, NYK Line
5th: Masahiro Inada, Director-General, Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
6th: Kazuhiro Ikebe, President ＆Chief Executive Officer, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc.
8th: Kenichi Matsumura, Deputy Commander, 7th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters
9th: Toru Kitamura, President & Chief Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd

After delivery in March 2024, the vessel will participate in the LNG coastal transportation business, in addition to LNG bunkering for oceangoing vessels calling at ports in the Kyushu-Setouchi area. This will be Japan's first LNG bunkering project to supply LNG to vessels over the vast Kyushu and Setouchi area.


Area for planned LNG bunkering by KEYS Azalea

KEYS Azalea will be Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel to be equipped with a dual-fuel engine that can operate on both LNG and fuel oil. The use of LNG fuel offers excellent environmental performance compared with traditional marine fuels. It is expected to be a bridge solution for decarbonization, virtually eliminating sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions and reducing approximately 80% of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, as well as 30% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Vessel Particulars
Name: KEYS Azalea
LOA: 82.4 meters
Beam: 18.2 meters
Draft: 4.8 meters
Gross Tonnage: about 4,850 tons
LNG Loadable Capacity: 3,500 cubic meters
Driving Power: Electricity (dual-fuel engine (consuming LNG or fuel oil))
Delivery: March 2024
Builder: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.***

* KEYS Bunkering West Japan Ltd.
Headquarters: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
Representative: Takashi Mitsuyoshi
Details of business: sales of LNG fuel, owner of LNG bunkering vessel
Stockholders: Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. 40%; NYK Line 40%, ITOCHU ENEX CO.,LTD. 15%, Saibu Gas Co., Ltd.5%
Establishment: February 2, 2022

** LNG bunkering vessel
A small vessel supplying LNG fuel to LNG-fueled vessels

*** Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Headquarters: Yokohama, Japan
Stockholders: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 100%

Company Overviews