Osaka Gas launches LNG bunkering vessel operations in Japan’s western waters

Osaka Gas has begun operating a vessel capable of supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) to ships at sea, marking a step forward in Japan’s maritime decarbonisation efforts, according to a report on April 21, 2026.

The company started the service in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, as demand for LNG-powered ships grows amid global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Caliber.Az reports via Japanese media.

However, Japan continues to face a shortage of refuelling infrastructure for such vessels.

The bunkering ship measures approximately 86 metres in length and 18 metres in width, with a maximum LNG carrying capacity of around 3,610 cubic metres.

Osaka Gas said this is the first LNG bunkering vessel it has operated, and only the third of its kind in Japan.

On Tuesday, the vessel was moored alongside a large iron ore carrier at the JFE Steel West Japan Works facility in Fukuyama. LNG was transferred via a hose connection directly to the receiving ship.

Osaka Gas plans to expand operations in the Osaka Bay and Seto Inland Sea regions as part of broader efforts to support cleaner marine fuel supply chains.

By Aghakazim Guliyev