Kokuka Sangyo takes delivery of Kokuryu Maru, its first methanol-fuelled tanker
The 498 gt chemical tanker took her first methanol bunkers at Kinoe on 24 September, partly biomethanol
Japanese owner Kokuka Sangyo has taken delivery of its first dedicated methanol-fuelled ship, the 498 gt chemical tanker Kokuryu Maru, and completed her first methanol bunkering at Kinoe Port in Hiroshima Prefecture on 24 September.
The 1,223 dwt tanker was built by Koa Sangyo, which handed over yard number 725 on the same day after launching the hull on 19 March. Kokuka signed the shipbuilding contract on 5 February 2025, with completion originally scheduled for the end of September 2026.
She is powered by a Hanshin Diesel Works LA28MRG main engine designed to run on methanol. It is the second vessel installation of one of Hanshin's methanol engines.
Kokuka will operate the ship and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical will charter her for domestic methanol transport and for methanol bunkering of other vessels. The two companies have also reached a basic agreement covering a long-term time charter and the supply of methanol fuel.
Part of the first bunker delivery was biomethanol produced at Mitsubishi Gas Chemical's Niigata plant, with its biomass characteristics assigned under a mass-balance methodology. That fuel will be used in the ship's own operations. Burning methanol is expected to cut the tanker's CO2 emissions by about 17.5% compared with a similar ship on conventional heavy fuel oil. The project received support under a Japanese maritime decarbonisation programme.
The figure matches the national target. Japan aims to reduce CO2 emissions from domestic coastal shipping by about 17% by fiscal 2030 and by 36% by fiscal 2040, against fiscal 2013 levels.
Kokuka Sangyo was established in 1947 and operates in coastal and international shipping; the first chemical tanker to carry the Kokuryu Maru name entered domestic service in 1960. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, founded in 1918, produces methanol and other basic and specialty chemicals. Hanshin Diesel Works, also founded in 1918, builds marine engines and propulsion equipment.
This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 29 September 2026.
