The goal of the move is to provide the necessary infrastructure for LNG-fueled carriers and to encourage the conversion of ships to LNG fuels to help achieve the International Maritime Organization ( IMO) objective of halving shipping greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 2008.

Earlier this month, an LNG bunkering vessel supplied the fuel to an under construction LNG-fuelled pure-car and truck carrier owned by Nippon Yusen, marking Japan's first ship-to - ship LNG bunkering.

Japan's number of LNG-powered ships is still small, but JERA expects it to rise in the midst of a global push for decarbonization, a company spokesman said, adding that their bunkering service would be restricted in Japan's central region.

According to DNV GL info, there are 174 LNG-fuelled ships in service globally, with 226 more on order.

JERA is a joint venture between Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings and Chubu Electric Power Co Inc. for thermal power generation and fuel.

Maritime Business World