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Archives for April 2022

“K” Line : Changes of responsibilities of Executive Officers

April 28, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has decided in a board meeting held today on changes of responsibilities of Executive Officers.

  1. Changes effective as of June 1, 2022
PositionNameResponsibilities
Senior Managing Executive OfficerYukio Toriyama(Present) Responsible for CFO Unit (Corporate Planning, Research, Corporate Sustainability, Environment Management, IR and Communication, Finance, Accounting, Taxation), CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

(New) Responsible for CFO Unit (Corporate Planning, Research, Corporate Sustainability, Environment Management, IR and Communication, Finance, Accounting, Taxation) and Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance Unit, CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
Senior Managing Executive OfficerYasunari Sonobe(Present) Responsible for Product Logistics Business Unit (Car Carriers, Logistics, Port and Affiliated Business)
(New) Responsible for Product Logistics Business Unit (Car Carriers, Logistics, Port, Short Sea and Coastal Business and Affiliated Business)
Managing Executive OfficerMakoto Arai(Present) Responsible for Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance Unit, Assistance to Internal Audit, CCO (Chief Compliance Officer)
(New) Supervising Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance, Assistance to Internal Audit, CCO (Chief Compliance Officer)

2. Responsibilities of Executive Officers on and after June 1, 2022

Please see the attached list of responsibilities of Executive Officers scheduled on and after June 1, 2022.

Attachment: The responsibilities of Executive Officers on and after June 1, 2022

TitleName Responsibilities
President & CEOYukikazu Myochin 
Vice President Executive OfficerAtsuo AsanoAssistant to President & CEO, Responsible for Dry Bulk Carriers Unit, In charge of Drybulk Planning, Responsible for Marine Sector, Advanced Technology, Ship Technical, GHG Reduction Strategy Unit
Senior Managing Executive OfficerYukio ToriyamaResponsible for CFO Unit (Corporate Planning, Research, Corporate Sustainability, Environment Management, IR and Communication, Finance, Accounting, Taxation) and Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance Unit, CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Kazuhiko HarigaiResponsible for Energy Transportation Business Unit
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Yasunari SonobeResponsible for Product Logistics Business Unit (Car Carriers, Logistics, Port, Short Sea and Coastal Business and Affiliated Business)
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Kiyotaka AyaSupervising Marine Sector, CSO(Chief Safety Officer)
Managing Executive OfficerDaisuke AraiResponsible for Containerships Business Unit, Digitalization Strategy Unit, CIO(Chief Information Officer)
Managing Executive OfficerMakoto AraiSupervising Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance, Assistance to Internal Audit, CCO (Chief Compliance Officer)
Managing Executive Officer
Shingo KogureResponsible for General Affairs, Human Resources Unit
Managing Executive OfficerTakenori IgarashiIn charge of Car Carrier Business, Car Carrier Planning & Development, Car Carrier Quality and Operations
Managing Executive OfficerNoriaki YamagaIn charge of Corporate Planning, Research, Corporate Sustainability, Environment Management, IR and Communication
Managing Executive Officer
Keiji KuboIn charge of Logistics, Port and Affiliated Business
Managing Executive Officer
Yuji AsanoIn charge of Finance, Accounting, Taxation
Managing Executive OfficerMichitomo IwashitaSupervising Ship Technical, GHG Reduction Strategy, In charge of Electricity and Offshore Business, Advanced Technology
Managing Executive OfficerMasatoshi TaguchiIn charge of Coal & Iron Ore Carrier Business, Coal & Iron Ore Carrier Planning & Operation
Executive OfficerToyohisa NakanoIn charge of Ship Technical, GHG Reduction Strategy, General Manager of Ship Technical Group
Executive OfficerSatoshi KanamoriIn charge of LNG, Carbon-Neutral Promotion
Executive OfficerAkihiro Fujimaru
In charge of Marine Sector
Executive OfficerHisashi NakayamaIn charge of Tankers, Fuel Strategy & Procurement
Executive OfficerFumiyoshi SatoIn charge of Legal, Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance, General Manager of Legal Group and Corporate Legal Risk & Compliance Group
Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” Line – Change of Director

April 28, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) has decided during board meeting held today on following change of Director.

1. Change of Director
(1) Retirement scheduled for June 23, 2022

NameNew PositionPresent Position
Makoto AraiManaging Executive OfficerDirector Managing Executive Officer
Filed Under: "K" Line

HPC to Assess and Validate Capacity Expansion at Inland Port Greer

April 28, 2022 by

HPC Hamburg Port Consulting to evaluate new equipment and capacity requirements at the South Carolina Ports facility  to add capacity to the Southeast’s supply chain

Hamburg, 28 April 2022 – South Carolina Ports has commissioned Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) to assess the capacity expansion of the Inland Port Greer, one of its intermodal rail terminals located in the Northern part of the state. The assessment was used to validate HPC’s original capacity and review options for expanding total capacity, ensuring the rail-served inland port can handle growing cargo volumes for customers.

Credit : South Carolina Port Authority SCPA

SC Ports operates multiple cargo facilities in South Carolina, among them the seaport in Charleston and its inland port in Greer, which extends the Port of Charleston’s reach 212 miles inland via a rail link that enables the smooth movement of goods for customers.

Extending the range of the seaport’s economic influence has been a driving factor for the development and construction of SC Ports’ inland port in Greer. In light of the growing container volumes handled at Inland Port Greer, SC Portscommissioned HPC to develop a capacity improvement plan for the terminal with the aim of evaluating the potential for expansion as a timely response to future volume developments.

“As operators, we aim for flexibility in responding to the supply chain disruptions that are more and more becoming a new normal, while also considering our planned expansion efforts to meet our customers’ needs,” said Steve Kemp, Senior Director Intermodal, Chassis and Operations Projects at SC Ports. “We opted to have our yard and equipment capacity plans reviewed by independent specialists to be prepared for meeting future volume demand.”

After providing a development plan for the facility a few years ago, HPC has now prepared an update, taking into consideration the impacts of ongoing supply chain disruptions in North America and the need for more capacity to handle customers’ growing supply chain needs. Amongst others, the layout concept and equipment procurement plan for long-term expansion have been generally validated within the framework of a sensitivity analysis. HPC has analysed the influencing factors under different dwell time scenarios to map the supply chain resilience.  As a result, some adjustment measures have been suggested, making the facility capable of handling up to 300,000 rail units. 

“Our clients want answers to whether their planning is sufficient to cope with various future scenarios,” says Christoph Schoppmann, Project Director and responsible for intermodal planning at HPC. “With resilient planning, they can give their customers the unprecedented flexibility and control required by manufacturers with tight production lines, and retailers with high demands for efficiency and reliability of their supply chain.”

Thanks to the HPC-internal’s “Intermodal Planning Model”, all traffic and volume flows on the terminal can be mapped and assessed. “We consider all possible terminal resources such as tracks, lift equipment, yard, empty yard, gate, etc., individually and in combination with each other,” says Schoppmann. “As a result, the customer enjoys a better understanding of the options and can make well-informed decisions on making the facility fit for future growth.”

HPC has extensive intermodal and rail terminal planning expertise. The consulting firm for ports, terminals and hinterland connections has already implemented more than 130 intermodal projects worldwide of which 60 have been in North America.

For more information on consulting services for the intermodal sector, please visit the website: www.hamburgportconsulting.com

Contact

Steffi Karsten, HPC Marketing / PR, email: s.karsten@hpc-hamburg.de

About HPC

HPC Hamburg Port Consulting operates as a logistics consulting company, specialised in strategy and transformation services for the ports, terminals, and rail sectors. Since establishment in 1976, the Hamburg-based consulting company has delivered approximately 1,700 projects across 130 countries spanning six continents, along the full port project development cycle. HPC employs about 100 domain experts with a background as terminal operators, software engineers, logistics managers, transport economists and mathematicians. As a subsidiary of the Hamburg Port and Logistics Corporation (HHLA), HPC has its roots in port handling of container, break bulk and multipurpose, as well as hinterland operations. www.hamburgportconsulting.com

Filed Under: HPC Hamburg Port Consulting

Time to take charge of lithium battery moves

April 25, 2022 by

Amid a number of recent fire incidents affecting container transport, ro-ro ships and air cargo movements allegedly involving lithium batteries, international freight transport insurer TT Club is calling for increased vigilance to ensure a secure safety environment for the fast-developing supply chains of this increasingly common component.

The market is exponentially increasing through consumer demand for a wide variety of rechargeable products from handheld devices to power tools and electric vehicles. Recently recorded incidents of container fires caused by, or suspected to involve lithium batteries, as well as conflagrations of significant proportions on car carriers and ro-pax ships mean that safety concerns rightly continue to grow amongst the maritime community.  In addition to which revised regulatory restrictions regarding the carriage by air of lithium batteries, which took effect from 1st April, may result in greater volumes being transported by surface modes.

“Understanding the risks is crucial,” comments TT’s Risk Management Director, Peregrine Storrs-Fox.  “As with many successful technologies, market demand has outpaced the development of safety regulations. Since the mid-1980’s lithium batteries have been classified under dangerous goods regulations for transport based on the weight of lithium contained in the cells or batteries and the potential hazard presented by a given battery is also related to the amount of lithium it contains. However, as technology has advanced, the amount of energy derived from the active material has increased by up to 50%, leading to regulatory mismatch where provisions are essentially framed around mass and energy output.”

Lithium batteries are required to be certified to an international standard involving a rigorous series of tests performed by an approved independent testing laboratory, to ensure they can both withstand everyday use through their expected lifetime and the rigours of transport. Responsibility for testing and achieving certification rests with the shipper and/or manufacturer. The sharp rise in demand has been accompanied by supply of cheaper, poorer quality and untested batteries, including refurbished and even homemade power banks. E-commerce platforms have facilitated a global trade in potentially lethal products, often circumventing global standards and regulations.

Throughout their intermodal journey the primary risks exist when batteries are poorly manufactured, untested or defective; these have a higher propensity to malfunction. However, supply chain risk – at any point of handling, storage and transport – is compounded by used, fully or partially charged batteries. As such the reverse logistics of batteries must be carefully managed; damaged and faulty products being returned or shipped as waste for disposal or recycling present increased risk.

The consequences of lithium fuelled fires can be more extensive than others.  They are very difficult to extinguish, prone to thermal runaway and present an explosion risk. Due to the heat generated, re-ignition once a fire has been extinguished is an additional risk.  In the unforgiving maritime environment, where the crew capability to fight fire is strained, the hard lessons learned by land-based fire responders, particularly relating to electric vehicles, need to be assimilated.

“The majority of shippers will take all practicable steps to ensure that their lithium batteries achieve certification and are classified, packaged, packed, labelled and declared correctly. A small – frankly criminal – minority are motivated to avoid compliance, entering cargo into the supply chain that presents great risk to all,” Storrs-Fox observes.  “Once lithium batteries are placed into the intermodal supply chain, there is little opportunity for the cargo to be checked, visually or otherwise to verify compliance. For all who are contracted to transport, handle or store lithium batteries therefore, developing a thorough understanding of this particular cargo is a prudent step. Moreover, due diligence into the origin of manufacture and integrity of the shipper instigating the move of these potentially lethal power sources is critical.”

About TT Club

TT Club is the established market-leading independent provider of mutual insurance and related risk management services to the international transport and logistics industry. TT Club’s primary objective is to help make the industry safer and more secure. Founded in 1968, the Club has more than 1100 Members, spanning container owners and operators, ports and terminals, and logistics companies, working across maritime, road, rail, and air. TT Club is renowned for its high-quality service, in-depth industry knowledge and enduring Member loyalty. It retains more than 93% of its Members with a third of its entire membership having chosen to insure with the Club for 20 years or more. 

www.ttclub.com

Filed Under: TT Club

“K” Line Wind Service is Granted for Innovation Endorsement Provider Certification by ClassNK

April 25, 2022 by

“K” Line Wind Service, Ltd., a joint venture company between Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (*1), is granted for Class C Innovation Endorsement Provider Certification for organizations by ClassNK.

ClassNK offers its third-party Innovation Endorsement “Provider Certification”, which supports innovative initiatives, to companies and organizations. As companies pursue ESG-oriented management and SDGs, ClassNK conducts the third-party certification on the initiatives to transform their own business methods and organizations in order to establish the sustainable and competitive business. There are three categories of certification available to companies according to their innovation activity stage. (*2)

Certification Presentation on April 19th, 2022

Offshore Wind development is recognized as one of the most important items for Japan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and in order to contribute to its development in Japanese ocean, “K” Line Wind Service has been established as a business platform of “K” Line group for any vessel and transportation business around Offshore Wind projects in Japan.

“K” Line Wind Service is established with mission to contribute to the development of offshore wind as well as marine industry in Japan through the activities such as the program of “Mass-production and Cost Reduction of Floating Offshore Wind Installation” adopted by Green Innovation Fund run by NEDO. (*3)

“K” Line Wind Service will continuously explore the new and competitive solutions in Japanese Offshore Wind projects while pursuing SDGs.

(*1) “K” Line Wind Service, Ltd

A joint venture company established by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. on June 1st, 2021 targeting the contribution to Offshore Wind in Japan throughout the marine solution that the group have developed in the history of 100-year.

Announcement on April 30th, 2021:

Establishment of “K” Line Wind Service, Ltd. for Offshore Support Vessel Operation

(https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/energy/energy1216843343315336832/main/0/link/210430EN2.pdf)

(*2) Innovation Endorsement by ClassNK

ClassNK started to offer its third-party Innovation Endorsement in 2020, which supports innovation initiatives, to companies and organizations. There are three categories (1) Notation, (2) Product & solutions certification, and (3) Provider certification with three categories of certification available to companies according to their innovation activity stage.

Class C (Concept: Organizational policy and system in place for innovation)

Class D (Development: Specific innovation activities being carried out)

Class S (Sustainable Implementation: Sustainable innovation with results implemented in the business)

https://www.classnk.or.jp/hp/en/activities/techservices/dgd2030/iea/index.html

(*3) “Mass-production and Cost Reduction of Floating Offshore Wind Installation” adopted by Green Innovation Fund run by NEDO

“K” Line Wind Service, Ltd., a joint venture company between Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (*1), together with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. and Toa Corporation is pleased to announce that the project of “Mass-Production and Cost Reduction of Floating Offshore Wind Installation” was officially adopted as Green Innovation Fund for “Cost Reduction for Offshore Wind Power Generation Projects”

Announcement on January 21st, 2022:

Joint project on “Mass-production and Cost Reduction of Floating Offshore Wind Installation” adopted as Green Innovation Fund

https://www.kline.co.jp/en/news/energy/energy-7251549612202879904/main/0/link/220121EN.pdf

Filed Under: "K" Line

Harren & Partner Group adds jack-up vessel Thor to its fleet

April 22, 2022 by

The fleet continues to grow: German shipping and logistics group Harren & Partner is proud to announce the acquisition of the jack-up vessel Thor. The fleet now counts four highly sophisticated offshore ships.

Thor is a 2010-built dynamic positioning (DP2) jack-up crane vessel ideal for maintenance projects at offshore wind energy plants as well as wind turbine installations. With a 500-t capacity, a high-outreach offshore crane and a fully equipped accommodation block for up to 56 people, this highly versatile vessel also has a strong track record. Thor is 107.82 metres long and sails under the Madeiran flag.

Heiko Felderhoff, Managing Director of the Harren & Partner Group, described the new addition: “We are very happy that we were able to finalise this acquisition. Thor is a modern ship with a flexible economic design. A valuable addition to our fleet, she underlines our growth ambitions in the rapidly expanding market for offshore wind energy.”

The Harren & Partner fleet now consists of four offshore construction units: The DP2 offshore construction and heavy lift vessel Mexican Giant, the DP3 offshore construction heavy lift twin-gantry catamaran VB-10,000 (US flag, Jones Act compliant) and the two jack-up vessels, Wind Lift I (DP1) and Thor.

The fleet is designed to provide full turnkey major component exchanges for the offshore wind industry. Together with its partners, OWS Off-Shore Wind Solutions GmbH and Wind Multiplikator GmbH (co-investor) – also part of the ARGE N1 joint venture – Harren & Partner will deploy Thor for major component exchange services at the Nordsee One wind farm. Thor will also support other wind farms later in the year.

Another crucial partner for the success of this project is Elbe Financial Solutions (EFS). Sören Bibow, CFO of the Harren & Partner Group, emphasised: “We would like to say a big thank you to our funding partner Elbe Financial Solutions. We are proud and grateful to work with EFS on this key project. Their customer focus and professionalism are absolutely impressive.”

Dr. Martin Harren, CEO of the Harren & Partner Group, underlined the importance of the renewables sector for the entire group: “Wind energy has been a cornerstone of our business in recent years, and we are determined to further expand and strengthen our contribution to the ongoing energy transition. By providing maintenance and installation services, we bring a comprehensive range of services to the renewable energy market while meeting the highest standards and expectations of these clients.”

About Nordsee One: Nordsee One is an offshore wind farm in the German part of the North Sea. Commissioned in 2017, it has a nameplate capacity of 332 MW. Nordsee One uses 54 Senvion 6.2M126 wind turbines that produce 1,200 GWh of electricity annually.

For more information about Nordsee One, please go to www.nordseeone.com

About Harren & Partner: The Harren name is synonymous with over 30 years of experience and expertise in the ever-changing world of shipping. Founded by Captain Peter Harren in Bremen in 1989, the shipping group employs around 400 people ashore and about 3,000 crew members. Today, the privately owned business is a diverse group of companies with strong brands: SAL Heavy Lift, Jumbo-SAL-Alliance, SAL Engineering and Intermarine are four of the world’s leading companies in the maritime transport sector for heavy lift, wind and project cargo. Combi Lift is specialised in multimodal door-to-door and turnkey forwarding concepts, while Harren Tankers and Harren Bulkers are responsible for the commercial and technical management of the group’s tankers and bulkers fleet.

Harren & Partner also provides high-quality ship management services to in-house and international third-party clients. The fleet currently consists of 82 units – heavy lift carriers, bulkers, tankers, dock ships, container vessels, tugs, barges and offshore vessels. With specialised teams for the different types of ships and strong shipping DNA in its business culture, Harren & Partner guarantees the highest standards of quality – both ashore and at sea.

For more information about Harren & Partner, please go to www.harren-partner.de

About Wind Multiplikator GmbH (WM): Wind Multiplikator GmbH is based in Bremen and was founded by Michael Munder-Oschimek in 2014. Wind Multiplikator operates mainly in the offshore wind energy sector and specialises in operational, project and planning management, consulting and engineering services. WM is currently supporting two offshore wind farms as a full-service provider.

For more information about WM, please go to: www.windmultiplikator.de

About OWS Offshore Wind Solutions GmbH (OWS): As a service provider in the onshore and especially offshore sector, OWS considers all life cycles of a wind turbine. The broad range of services includes the construction and commissioning of wind farms as well as their maintenance, repair and refitting. Conveniently located in Emden, close to the port and the railroad network, OWS manages the logistics challenges of the industry just as effectively as the technical tasks. A total of over 40,000 m² of hall space and 28,000 m² of storage space are available for storage and transport logistics, but also to manufacture and repair nacelles and blades. OWS also has the technical expertise to assist customers with engineering and prototype solutions. The range of services includes a control room where OWS can operate your wind farm safely 24/7, as well as the support in occupational HSE and quality management.

For more information about OWS, please go to: www.offshore-wind-solutions.de

Filed Under: Harren & Partner

Developed a New Concept Design of FLNG Hull that Achieves Shorter Construction Period and Cost Reduction

April 14, 2022 by

～Approval in Principle (AIP) from American Bureau of Shipping～

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) and JGC CORPORATION (JGC) jointly developed a new concept of FLNG (floating LNG) Hull (Note 1) and have received Approval in Principle (AIP) (Note 2) from American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), in which the LNG storage tanks of existing LNG carriers are to be utilized.

FLNG is suitable for the development of offshore natural gas fields, especially small and medium-sized gas fields where onshore LNG plants are not profitable. FLNG also reduces the cost of laying subsea pipelines and enables it to be diverted to other sea areas after the natural gas field is depleted. There are many small and medium-sized offshore natural gas fields around the world. With the increase in energy demand especially in emerging countries and the shift to natural gas as low-carbon fuel, there are already several FLNG projects that are presently underway mainly in Asia and Africa.

Supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (Note 3), “K” LINE and JGC have developed a new type of FLNG Hull. This FLNG Hull pursues the following effects by transferring and utilizing the spherical (Moss type) tanks from the existing LNG carriers of the earlier generation as an LNG storage facility which is FLNG’s core function.

  • Reduce Hull construction costs by eliminating the need to build new LNG storage tanks, which are expensive and require special techniques
  • Increase the candidates of shipyards that can build the Hull, thereby shortening the lead time and reducing the construction cost

“K” LINE has been engaged in the LNG transportation business for many years and has extensive experiences in the construction and operation of LNG carriers. “K” LINE is also involved in the offshore business by participating in the owning and operation of FPSO (Note 4).　JGC Group has a world-leading track record in FLNG as they have been involved in the design, procurement, and construction (EPC) of two of the seven FLNGs in operation or under construction around the world, as well as providing commissioning support.

LNG is positioned as a relatively low-carbon and clean fuel among fossil fuels. The use of LNG is expected to grow continuously and steadily along with the increasing demand in emerging countries. With this development results of FLNG with JGC, “K” LINE will continue to focus on the LNG value chain business to meet the diversifying needs of our customers.

(Note 1) FLNG is mainly comprised of a hull (including LNG storage tanks) and a topside plant which produces, stores, and ships LNG by liquefying natural gas on the sea.

(Note 2) AIP means ABS considers that the conceptual engineering as proposed is feasible for the intended application, and the facilities as presented are, in principle, in compliance with the applicable requirements of the applicable Rules/Regulations

(Note 3) Research and development of advanced technology related to marine resource development: MLIT support companies engaged in research and development for the commercialization of packaged products used in ships and products that contribute to cost reduction in the field of ocean development.

(Note 4) About FPSO service: https://www.kline.co.jp/en/service/energy/about/fpso.html

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” LINE Selected as a Constituent of FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index

April 11, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) has been selected as a constituent of FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index.

Created by FTSE Russell, a global index provider, the FTSE Blossom Japan Sector Relative Index reflects the excellent performance of Japanese companies in each sector that demonstrates strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices, being designed to be sector neutral. Especially, among companies with high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, only companies that are evaluated by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) Management Quality Score for their climate governance and climate change efforts are incorporated, in order to support climate transition to a low carbon economy. In addition, it has been adopted by Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) as an ESG index for their passive investment

“K” LINE has been addressing sustainability as a priority issue of its corporate management, and is making full-scale efforts to contribute to the resolution of social issues. In environmental aspect, we have revised our 2050 environmental target to “The Challenge of Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions” in November 2021, and are reinforcing initiatives for both reducing our GHG emissions and supporting decarbonized society. As part of that, our introduction Plan of LNG-fueled large-scale dry bulk vessel with an automated kite system SEAWING, to be delivered in FY2023, has been certified as Introduction Plan of Vessel with Excellent Environmental Performance (Specified Vessel) by Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in March 2022. Meanwhile, in social aspect, we have established “K” LINE Group Basic Policy on Human Rights in February this year, recognizing the international trend of increasing importance of respect for human rights.

Through our sustainability management, we will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, as well as strive to promote our own growth strategy and improve our corporate value.

Filed Under: "K" Line

HySTRA celebrates completion of world’s first liquefied hydrogen vessel voyage in Japan

April 11, 2022 by

A ceremony to mark the completion of the world’s first maritime transport of liquefied hydrogen, including its loading and unloading has been held in Kobe, Japan.

The demonstration voyage by the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, Suiso Frontier, proved that an international liquefied hydrogen supply chain is possible, marking a significant step towards the utilization of hydrogen as a new energy source.

The HySTRA※1 joint venture, comprising Iwatani Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Shell Japan Ltd., Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.(J-POWER), Marubeni Corporation, ENEOS Corporation, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. with support from NEDO※2, is exploring the development of a large-scale marine transport supply chain.

Ceremony for completing the demonstration test

The joint venture developed technologies to produce and transport large volumes of liquefied hydrogen, conducting demonstration tests between Japan and Australia to establish processes around the safe loading, offloading and storage of hydrogen. Insights from the demonstration voyage will also guide the development of international safety standards and codes for transporting liquefied hydrogen.

Suiso Frontier, the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, departed Japan in December 2021 and arrived in Australia in January 2022. The ship was loaded with liquefied hydrogen produced from coal in Victoria, Australia, and returned to Japan in February 2022, unloading the cargo to a landside storage tank.

The HySTRA joint venture partners will continue to gather data and findings, and collaborate with various parties to promote this project and contribute to the development of a commercial hydrogen supply chain, as more industries explore hydrogen as a new energy source.

The HySTRA joint venture comprises:

Iwatani CorporationOperation of Hy touch Kobe, a liquefied hydrogen cargo handling demonstration terminal
Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesDesign and construction of “Suiso Frontier”, a liquefied hydrogen carrier, and the Hy touch Kobe, a liquefied hydrogen cargo handling demonstration terminal
Shell JapanOperation and crewing of Suiso Frontier
J-POWERConstruction and operation of the facilities to produce hydrogen gas using Victorian coal in Latrobe Valley, Victoria
MarubeniExamination of implementation of CO2-free hydrogen supply chain technologies by leveraging knowhow cultivated as a general trading company
ENEOSFeasibility study of CO2-free Hydrogen Supply Chain
Kawasaki Kisen KaishaAssistance for safe transportation of liquid hydrogen by using its knowledge and experience acquired through the operation of LNG carriers.

The project had input from Japanese and Australian government agencies, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and NEDO, and companies in Japan and Australia.

Japan-Australia Supply Chain Pilot Diagram


1: An abbreviation of the Japan CO2 Free Hydrogen Energy Supply-chain Technology Research Association. The company was established by Iwatani, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Shell Japan and J-POWER to establish and demonstrate technologies for hydrogen production using Victorian coal, transportation and storage for the commercialization of a CO2-free hydrogen supply chain. Marubeni Corporation, ENEOS Corporation, and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha joined the project later.
 
*2: New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization

Reference

In Australia, Iwatani Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, J-POWER Group, Marubeni Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, and AGL Energy Limited formed a consortium to build a gas refining facility, hydrogen liquefaction and loading terminal with subsidies from the Australian and Victorian governments. A local industrial gas company oversees ground transportation of hydrogen.

Filed Under: "K" Line

“K” LINE’s Participation in Joint Study to Explore Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore

April 6, 2022 by

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (hereinafter “K” LINE) is pleased to announce that, effective as from today, we have participate in the feasibility study jointly conducted since March 2021 by and among A.P. Moller – Maersk, Fleet Management Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Sumitomo Corporation, and American Bureau of Shipping (*1), with the aim to establish a ship-to-ship based ammonia bunkering at the Port of Singapore, the largest bunkering port in the world (hereinafter “the Study”). Memorandum of Understanding was executed by and among the 8 companies, including Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore who has also decided to participate in the Study, at a ceremony held today during the occasion of Singapore Maritime Week 2022.

Emitting zero CO2 when combusted, ammonia has been considered as one of promising options among various alternative marine fuels to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the shipping industry, which is in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy to achieve reduction of GHG emission by 50% in 2050 compared to the levels in 2008.

The Study aims to cover the entire end-to-end supply chain of ammonia bunkering, design of ammonia bunkering vessels, as well as related supply chain infrastructure. Relevant government agencies and experts in Singapore will be engaged in working towards the standardization of safe operation and regulations. Each partner will contribute to the Study within the scope set in line with their business domain.

We have long experience in handling of ammonia on board the vessel through technical management of ammonia carriers. In addition, we have know-how and expertise in the ship management service of bunkering vessel conducted within the regulatory framework and guidelines in Singapore which has been acquired through the management of Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel.

We believe that our engagement in the Study on the grounds of these expertise embodies the initiatives designated under our long-term environmental guideline – “K” LINE Environmental Vision 2050 (*2) – including “decarbonization of “K” LINE” and “promoting and supporting decarbonization of society”; hence we decided to participate in the Study. While watching trends in the development of international regulations concerning ammonia as marine fuel, we are planning to study ammonia-fueled vessels in more detail.

※1:     American Bureau of Shipping participated in the Study in October 2021.

※2:     “K” LINE’s environmental guideline. The target in 2050 was revised to be “net-zero”  in November 2021.  https://www.kline.co.jp/en/csr/environment/management.html

Partners

–           A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S   (HQ: Denmark)

–           Fleet Management Limited   (HQ: Hong Kong)

–           Keppel Offshore & Marine   (HQ: Singapore)

–           Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center    (HQ: Denmark) for Zero Carbon Shipping

–           Sumitomo Corporation    (HQ: Japan)

–           American Bureau of Shipping    (HQ: U.S.A.)

–           Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore   (Location: Singapore)

–           Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.    (HQ: Tokyo)

Filed Under: "K" Line
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