Japan steel mills join study on alternative marine fuel

Japan's major steel mills Nippon Steel and JFE Steel aim to recycle carbon dioxide emitted from their steel manufacturing operations for the production of synthetic methane. This is part of a cross-industry effort to study an alternative marine fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Nine Japanese firms have started a working group discussion to examine a concept of utilising methanation technology to supply zero-emissions marine fuel. The companies will explore the feasibility of developing a supply chain of synthetic methane for the use as a marine fuel, and to identify technical challenges and develop a roadmap for realisation.

Nippon Steel and JFE Steel joined Japanese shipping firm Mitsui OSK Line and shipbuilders Japan Marine United and Sanoyas Shipbuilding in the working group that was formed last year. Engineering firms JGC and Hitachi Zosen, environmental research and consulting firm EX Research Institute, and Japanese classification society ClassNK are also participating in the discussion.

Under the concept supply chain, carbon dioxide will be captured from steelworks and liquefied for delivery by a ship at a plant where the carbon dioxide will be combined with hydrogen to generate synthetic methane. The methane will then be liquefied for use as a marine fuel to power LNG-fuelled vessels without modification.

Nippon Steel and JFE Steel have been actively working on the steel industry's decarbonisation initiatives in a bid to achieve Japan's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goal by 2030. Japan aims to cut its 2030 GHG emissions by 26pc from 2013 levels. The firms expect the study to potentially reduce carbon dioxide significantly throughout the supply chain of the steel industry that is heavily reliant on marine transport for raw materials and products supply.

Japan Marine United and Sanoyas will be responsible for exploring the feasibility of shipping liquefied carbon dioxide from steelworks. Hitachi Zosen will examine methane synthesis processing and JGC will study the liquefaction of synthetic methane.

The Japanese government aims to commercialise zero-emissions vessels during 2028-30, which will be powered by alternative marine fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, as part of efforts to meet the International Maritime Organization's emissions reduction goal.

By Rieko Suda