Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) presented its biomethane strategy at the Renewable Gas Markets Asia 2026 conference, setting out the Japanese shipping company's approach to utilising biomethane — particularly bio-LNG — as part of its decarbonisation pathway.

Koki Harada, Deputy Manager of the Fuel Transition Strategy and Business Team within MOL's Marine Fuel GX Division, delivered the presentation and participated in a panel discussion titled 'The Future of Renewable Gas Demand'.

According to MOL, biomethane represents one of the commercially available fuel solutions for the maritime sector today, forming part of the company's broader alternative fuels portfolio as it works towards net-zero emissions.

In its presentation, MOL stressed the need to scale biomethane adoption beyond Europe, pointing to the requirement for globally harmonised regulations and expanded certification frameworks. The company also outlined its efforts to secure supply, including expanding its fleet of LNG dual-fuel vessels and exploring upstream project development opportunities globally to support long-term demand.

MOL also joined a panel discussion alongside representatives from the chemical industry, where participants exchanged views on biomethane from different sectoral perspectives. While approaches and priorities were said to differ across industries, the discussion identified areas of alignment and shared challenges.

A key takeaway from the panel for MOL was that stronger cross-sector collaboration would be required to accelerate biomethane adoption and scale up supply.