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Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has said that it will team up with representatives from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Tokyo Gas to examine the possibility of establishing LNG bunkering stations in Japan.

The study group is due to hold its first meeting on June 9 to look at the feasibility of developing the first LNG refuelling facility in the port of Yokohama, which will be used as a model case.

Participants at tomorrow's meeting are to examine the technological and infrastructural requirements, market factors and project costs. The group aims to complete the infrastructure plan by the end of this year.

Tokyo Gas already has LNG infrastructure in Yokohama: its Ohgishima LNG terminal has been operating since January 1998 whilst its Negishi LNG terminal went into operation in May 1966 and could be used for the project.

NYK Line also has LNG interests in Yokohama. In September last year, the shipping firm received delivery of its first LNG-fuelled tugboat, the Sakigake. The vessel has been chartered to Wing Maritime Service Corporation and operates mainly at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki. It is able to run on either LNG or marine diesel oil (MDO).

LNG fuel for the new tugboat is supplied by Tokyo Gas from a tanker truck using the truck-to-ship bunkering method at a pier in Yokohama.