MOL Signs Deal to Supply Bio-LNG Fuel for Car Carriers in Europe

Accelerating the Use of Clean Fuels in the Drive Toward Net-Zero Emissions by 2050

June 18, 2026

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Jotaro Tamura; Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) has signed new supply agreements in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region to expand the use of bio-LNG fuel on MOL-operated LNG-fueled car carriers.

Titan, part of Molgas (Vice President Marine: Niels den Nijs; Headquarters: Amsterdam) will continue to supply Bio-LNG fuel in Northwest Europe, while Axpo (CEO: Christoph Brand, Chairman: Roland Leuenberger; Headquarters: Baden, Switzerland) will take charge of supply in the Mediterranean region.

This agreement makes it possible for our company to supply bio-LNG fuel for automobile carriers in the Mediterranean region (Port of Malaga and Barcelona, Spain), following the bio-LNG fuel supply agreement in Western Europe, which commenced in March last year.


Bio-LNG fuel bunkering vessel supplying the CIELO ACE.   Image by MOL.

Bio-LNG fuel is liquefied methane produced primarily from biomass such as livestock manure and food waste. It is an immediately available clean fuel that can contribute to carbon neutrality by significantly reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while utilizing the LNG fuel supply infrastructure already in place.

The bio-LNG fuel to be supplied in this initiative has a lifecycle carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy consumption) of -15 g-CO2/MJ or less, from production through consumption. Replacing one ton of conventional heavy fuel oil with this bio-LNG fuel results in a reduction of approximately 4.5 tons of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, this bio-LNG fuel has obtained International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC-EU).

Through this supply agreement, MOL has established a framework that ensures a continuous and stable supply of bio-LNG fuel not only in Northern Europe but also in the Mediterranean. As part of the group's efforts to adopt alternative fuels and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-key actions outlined in the "MOL Group Environmental Vision" - it is utilizing LNG-fueled vessels as a bridge solution to facilitate the transition to carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic LNG (e-methane).

Going forward, MOL will step up its efforts to reduce GHG emissions by expanding the geographic reach, volume, and quality of its bio-LNG fuel usage. The group will also drive the development of clean fuel supply chains and lead the shipping industry's initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions. In parallel with the expansion of its LNG-fueled fleet, MOL will continue to promote the adoption of a diverse range of next-generation fuels-including biofuels, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen-and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society while ensuring safe operations.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. press release