MOL, Idemitsu, HIF partner to enhance e-methanol supply chain

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has signed a Memorandum of

and synthetic methanol (e-methanol) supply chain.

The supply chain allegedly involves CO₂ marine transport with Idemitsu

Kosan Co., Ltd., HIF USA LLC, and HIF Asia Pacific Pty Limited (HIF),

subsidiaries of HIF Global, a global supplier of synthetic fuels and

methanol.

Synthetic fuels and synthetic methanol are produced by synthesizing green

hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources and CO₂.

The entire lifecycle of the product, from production to use of the final

product, is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, and is positioned

for swift commercialisation.

In this cooperative development project, the partners will collaborate to

create a synthetic fuel/methanol supply chain that uses transport CO₂ as a raw

material, primarily through feasibility studies.

The feasibility studies will include the following components: CO₂ maritime

transit from Japan to HIF’s overseas synthetic fuels/methanol manufacturing

plants, the establishment of a supply network to transfer synthetic

fuels/methanol produced by HIF in overseas facilities to Japan, and

cost-effective sea transportation of CO₂ and synthetic methanol.

Recently, MOL and Rio Tinto, a dry bulk shipper, signed a Partnership

Agreement to enhance decarbonisation of maritime transportation.