The Green Future Sets Sail: NYK’s Methanol-Powered Bulk Carrier Marks a New Era

Japan’s First Dual-Fuel Methanol Bulk Carrier Charts a Cleaner Course

A methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier chartered by NYK Bulk & Projects Carriers has officially been delivered at the TSUNEISHI Factory in Japan, signaling a bold step toward decarbonizing maritime shipping. Named Green Future by Yuko Tsutsui, NYK’s Managing Executive Officer and Chief of Sustainability & Transformation, on May 13, the vessel represents a technological leap for the industry. With tightening emissions regulations and mounting pressure to adopt cleaner fuels, NYK’s bet on methanol could redefine how goods traverse the oceans.

“The Green Future isn’t just a ship—it’s a statement. Methanol dual-fuel engines are the bridge between today’s fossil-dependent fleets and tomorrow’s net-zero solutions,” says Tsutsui.

This is the first NYK Group bulk carrier equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of running on methanol and conventional fuel oil, offering flexibility while cutting emissions. Methanol’s appeal lies in its lower environmental footprint compared to heavy fuel oil, with bio-methanol and e-methanol—sourced from renewables or carbon capture—pushing greenhouse gas reductions even further. The International Maritime Organization’s 2050 net-zero target looms large, and scalable alternatives like methanol are gaining traction as stopgaps before hydrogen or ammonia mature.

Specs That Matter: Big Capacity, Smarter Fuel

Measuring 199.99 meters in length with a deadweight of roughly 65,700 metric tons and a cargo capacity of 81,500 m³, the Green Future is no niche experiment. Its size underscores methanol’s viability for large-scale commercial routes. While Maersk and other giants have ordered methanol-fueled container ships, NYK’s bulk carrier adapts the tech for raw materials transport—a segment historically reliant on dirtier fuels. The vessel’s dual-fuel system allows operators to toggle between methanol and fuel oil based on availability, a pragmatic hedge in a still-evolving green fuel market.

“Methanol isn’t perfect, but it’s available now. Waiting for ‘perfect’ solutions isn’t an option,” notes a TSUNEISHI engineer involved in the build.

The Green Future’s delivery arrives as methanol production scales up globally, with e-methanol projects multiplying in Europe and China. Critics highlight methanol’s lower energy density and lingering CO2 emissions, but for NYK, the math is clear: incremental progress beats inertia. As the ship joins NYK’s fleet, its performance data could sway skeptics—or accelerate the search for even cleaner alternatives. Either way, the maritime industry is finally moving beyond business-as-usual.