In 2024, four key companies in Japan’s maritime industry collaborated on designing a sustainable VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) with enhanced environmental standards. Their objective was to create a vessel that surpasses current regulatory benchmarks, with a goal to cut emissions by over 40 percent.

The consortium, consisting of Idemitsu Tanker Co., IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO Lines), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), and Nihon Shipyard Co., introduced a concept for a 309,000 deadweight ton tanker, 1,114 feet (339.5 meters) in length. They anticipate this design will achieve a 40-percent-plus reduction in emissions compared to today’s larger tankers.

The proposed vessel incorporates the latest dual-fuel engine technology, capable of operating on both methanol and heavy oil, enhancing fuel versatility and environmental performance. To further improve efficiency and lower emissions, shaft generators were included in the design. Additionally, provisions were made for wind-assisted propulsion as an optional feature, along with onboard carbon capture and storage technology.

The project was initiated by Idemitsu Tanker Co., which gathered industry partners and a leading shipbuilder to jointly explore the vessel’s design, machinery, and environmental technologies, all aimed at achieving what they term the “Malacca Max VLCC.”

Given that Japan sources about 89 percent of its oil from the Middle East, a priority was to develop a tanker large enough to navigate the Strait of Malacca, a vital trade route for transporting oil to Japan.

While conventional Phase III VLCC designs typically achieve around a 30 percent reduction in emissions, this project aims for a 40 percent or more reduction. Methanol alone is expected to reduce emissions by 15 percent relative to traditional fuels. Furthermore, the use of green methanol, including bio-methanol from biomass and e-methanol made from renewable hydrogen and CO2 capture, could potentially bring CO2 emissions down to net zero.

The companies plan to continue refining the design concept through additional research, with phased construction of these eco-friendly tankers planned to meet future demand for crude oil transport to Japanese refineries.