Osaka Gas has begun supplying LNG fuel to ships using the ship-to-ship method, marking a key expansion of its marine fuel operations.
The first operation took place on April 21, when LNG was delivered from the bunkering vessel SETO AZURE to a Capesize bulk carrier at a steelworks site in Hiroshima.
With this step, Osaka Gas now offers all three main LNG bunkering options—ship-to-ship, truck-to-ship, and port-to-ship—allowing it to provide more flexible and reliable fuel supply depending on vessel location and operational needs.
The company said the addition of ship-to-ship capability improves operational efficiency and strengthens supply resilience, particularly in areas such as Osaka Bay and the Setouchi region where the bunkering vessel will operate.
LNG is gaining traction as a lower-emission marine fuel, with vessel numbers rising globally, although bunkering infrastructure in Japan remains limited.
