Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has signed its first annual LNG bunkering contract with Seaspan Energy for car carriers at the Port of Vancouver, Canada, marking an expansion of the Japanese shipping company’s fuel supply arrangements on the west coast of North America.

The agreement, which saw its first bunkering operation completed on 29 April, follows MOL’s initial LNG bunkering on the west coast of North America on 1 March 2025 — the first by a Japanese shipping firm in the region.

MOL noted that North America represents one of the key trade lanes for car carriers, with the recent delivery of new LNG-fuelled vessels increasing the need for stable fuel supply in the area.

The transport company added the contract underscores its commitment to establishing a regional LNG fuel procurement framework.

Seaspan Energy president Harly Penner commented: “The relationship between Seaspan Energy and MOL is highly valued. MOL was the first car carrier operator to receive LNG bunkering services in the Port of Vancouver, and we are proud to continue supporting their operations in Vancouver through this annual LNG bunkering agreement.”

Penner added that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing lower-emission marine transportation and supporting the industry’s transition toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

MOL’s Marine Fuel GX Division general manager Daisuke Fujihashi remarked: “We are very pleased to further strengthen our partnership with Seaspan Energy through this contract for LNG fuel procurement. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our collaboration with Seaspan Energy in the field of clean fuels, including bio-LNG, and remain committed to offering our customers more pathways toward cleaner supply chains.”

MOL positions the adoption of alternative fuels as one of the key strategies for achieving net-zero GHG emissions under its 'MOL Group Environmental Vision'. The company plans to adopt LNG as the mainstay of its low-carbon transition efforts in the short to medium term, describing it as readily applicable and economically viable in the near term.

Seaspan Energy is part of Seaspan Marine, a group of Canadian companies involved in ship assist, coastal and deep-sea transportation, ferry services and fuel bunkering on the west coast of North America.

Seaspan subsidiary Marine Petrobulk has been supplying bunker fuel to vessels in Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria and Nanaimo since 1980.