Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has inked contracts to construct three methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ships for domestic shipping companies Toyofuji Shipping, Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun, and Nichitoku Kisen. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in stages beginning fiscal 2028 and will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
At approximately 168 meters in length and 30.2 meters in beam, the new ships will carry around 2,300 passenger vehicles and register roughly 15,750 gross tons. Designed with an eye on efficiency and environmental compliance, they feature MHI’s proprietary energy-saving systems, including high-efficiency propellers and advanced rudders. The addition of a windscreen at the bow and a vertical stem further reduces propulsion resistance, allowing for more fuel-efficient voyages.
The standout feature is the dual-fuel engine that runs on both methanol and heavy fuel oil. According to Mitsubishi, this technology is expected to cut CO2 emissions per transport unit by over 20% compared to conventional heavy oil-powered vessels. If green methanol—produced from biomass or captured CO2—is adopted in future operations, the emission reductions could extend across the fuel’s entire lifecycle.
This contract follows Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s previous order in June 2024 for two similar RORO vessels, marking this as its second major project in Japan’s coastal shipping sector for methanol-powered ships. Methanol-fueled RORO vessels have already made appearances in international waters, but this initiative reflects a notable shift in Japan’s domestic shipping strategy as companies face increasing pressure to decarbonize their operations.
During the contract signing ceremony, Eiji Takeichi, Shoichiro Miyazaki, and Kiminori Hiura—presidents of Toyofuji Shipping, Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun, and Nichitoku Kisen respectively—joined Shin Ueda, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, to formalize the agreement. The deal underscores a growing alignment between shipbuilders and operators toward low-emission alternatives.
Beyond environmental impact, the newbuilds aim to address some of the industry’s lingering workforce concerns. With larger vehicle capacities, each voyage becomes more efficient, reducing the need for frequent departures. This opens up more flexible scheduling and additional rest time for crews—a small but meaningful step in improving seafarer work conditions.
The shift toward methanol-fueled propulsion in Japan’s RORO fleet indicates a broader trend: balancing operational needs with sustainability targets in an industry often seen as slow to change. As demand grows for lower-carbon logistics solutions, companies like Mitsubishi Shipbuilding are navigating the change with tangible, scalable action.
