Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has entered into a long-term supply agreement for bio-LNG and has already commenced using the fuel across its fleet of LNG-fuelled car carriers, according to Ship & Bunker. The company stated the initiative is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 60,800 tonnes per year.
A Drop-In Fuel for Existing Vessels
Bio-LNG is derived from organic waste materials — including livestock and food residues — and offers a key operational advantage: it can be used in LNG-ready vessels without requiring any technical modifications. Ship & Bunker reports that K Line’s bio-LNG supply carries ISCC-EU certification, placing it in alignment with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive and supporting broader decarbonisation efforts across the shipping supply chain.
While K Line disclosed the supply agreement in a statement published on its website, the identity of the supplier was not revealed.
Building Toward Net Zero
The move is positioned as a near-term step within K Line’s Environmental Vision 2050 framework, which sets a target of achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. As reported by Ship & Bunker, the company views bio-LNG as an immediate-impact solution while longer-term zero-emission fuels continue to develop.
This latest agreement builds on a milestone the company reached last year, when it completed its first bio-LNG bunkering operation for one of its car carriers at the Port of Zeebrugge. That operation was supplied by Shell Western LNG BV.
A Measured Step in Fleet Decarbonisation
For a shipping segment that moves millions of vehicles annually, securing certified, low-carbon fuel on a long-term basis represents a concrete move toward measurable emissions reductions — particularly within the EU regulatory environment where FuelEU Maritime and renewable energy rules are tightening requirements on vessel operators.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
