Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has signed a long-term agreement for the procurement of carbon-neutral bio-LNG fuel and has begun using it in its LNG-fuelled car carriers.

The Japanese shipping company said the agreement is expected to cut its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by about 60,800 tonnes per year.

The bio-LNG, or liquefied biomethane (LBM), is produced from livestock excrement, food residue and other organic waste. K Line noted that lifecycle GHG emissions from bio-LNG, from production through to consumption, are lower than those from conventional fuels.

The company also explained that the fuel can be used in existing LNG-fuelled vessels without modification, making it suitable for deployment across its current LNG-fuelled car carrier fleet.

The bio-LNG now being used by K Line is certified under the ISCC-EU scheme, which verifies that sustainable fuels made from biomass and waste meet the European Union’s legal requirements. The certification confirms compliance with the sustainability and GHG emissions reduction standards of Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III).

K Line said that by using internationally certified fuels such as this, it intends to contribute to the decarbonisation of entire supply chains in cooperation with cargo owners and other stakeholders.

In its 'K Line Environmental Vision 2050 - Blue Seas for the Future,' the company set a target of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. K Line said the continued use of bio-LNG is one of the key measures supporting that goal.

The company added that it will continue working on decarbonising marine transport through the use of carbon-neutral and zero-emission fuels.