Saibu Gas Co., Ltd. (“Saibu”) successfully completed the Japan’s first LNG bunkering*1 operation using the truck-to-ship*2 method with ISO tank containers*3 (approximately 18 tonnes of LNG/container) to LNG-fueled chemical tankers of Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (“Fukuoka Shipbuilding”). The project was run at Kogakura Yanagi Wharf, Port of Nagasaki, from 19 to 25 October,2024.

With demand for LNG fueled ship increased in number by the day and in order to ameliorate the environmental issue, Saibu has originally delivered LNG to Fukuoka Shipbuilding with LNG tank trucks*4. As a result of thorough consideration to make the process more efficiently, Saibu and Fukuoka Shipbuilding determined to introduce the truck-to-ship LNG bunkering with ISO tank containers to the bunkering process.

With this operation, Saibu teamed up with Shanghai based company Tiger Gas (Shanghai) Ltd., in using its ISO tank containers, and utilizing Saibu’s current expertise and knowledge accumulated in LNG trading business, as well as ISO tank containers operation from back in April 2021. The advantage of utilizing the ISO container tank is that it allows easier transport and storage and would enable to maintain the temperature of -162 degrees for long period of time. Thus, consequently enabling us to achieve the efficiency in truck to ship LNG bunkering.

Saibu Gas Group is accelerating lower/de-carbonization as a local energy provider in accordance with Saibu Gas Group Carbon Neutral Action 2050*5 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to contribute sustainable development of local communities through the steady initiatives. Marine fuel conversion from the conventional one to LNG is one of our key strategies.

*1 LNG bunkering: A method of LNG delivery directly to LNG-fueled vessels.
*2 Truck to ship: A method of direct delivery of LNG through a hose in connection between an LNG tank truck and a LNG-fueled vessel.
*3 ISO tank container: Highly secured container manufactured according to international standards (ISO standards).
*4 Delivered in October 2023 and in April 2024.
*5 See details of Saibu Gas Group Carbon Neutral 2050 at
https://hd.saibugas.co.jp/news_release/detail/2021/pdf/nr041.pdf

Contact: LNG Solutions Business Dept., Saibu Gas Co., Ltd.
E-mail: SBG-LBD@saibugas-group.com

For more detailed information

Profile of Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co Ltd.

Company Name	FUKUOKA SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD.
Establishment	November 10, 1947
Representative	Chairman: Mr. KEIJI TANAKA President: Mr. YOSHIKAZU TANAKA
Capital	96 million yen
Location	Fukuoka, Japan
Business	Shipbuilding

LNG bunkering by Truck to Ship