First in Hokkaido　Kitagas Conducts LNG Bunkering for International Cruise Ship — Expanding the LNG Bunkering Business to Contribute to the Realization of Carbon Neutrality in Hokkaido —2026/05/22

Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. (president: Chisato Kawamura; head office: Sapporo City; hereinafter “Kitagas”) collaborated with MOL Techno-Trade, Ltd. (hereinafter “MOL Techno-Trade”) in the supply of LNG (hereinafter “LNG bunkering”) to the Luminara, an international cruise ship operated by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection that entered the Port of Hakodate on May 16.  This is the first LNG bunkering of a foreign cruise ship in Hokkaido.

　

■ Overview of the Initiative

Kitagas procured LNG and performed bunkering while MOL Techno-Trade handled commercial distribution regarding fuel sales. Sharing roles, both companies worked with each other to provide LNG bunkering services.

 

• Bunkering system: Truck to ship (fuel supplied directly from an onshore LNG tanker truck to the ship, making it possible to flexibly supply fuel at ports of call while avoiding large capital investments)
• Location: Wakamatsu Wharf in the Port of Hakodate

　

 

■ Background and Future Outlook

As the International Maritime Organization (IMO) tightens its environmental regulations for ships, LNG is attracting more attention as a fuel that makes it possible to reduce the CO₂ emissions of ships by nearly 25% compared to existing heavy oil fuels, which contributes to the establishment of a shipping industry with a small carbon footprint.

 

Contributing to a carbon-neutral society is a part of the Kitagas Group’s Challenge 2030 management plan. Kitagas conducted bunkering at the Port of Tomakomai in May 2025 (for domestic ferries) and at the Port of Kushiro in September of the same year (for the Asuka III, a domestic cruise ship). We will continue LNG bunkering operations, establishing a track record of supply and facilitating the reduction of the shipping industry’s CO₂ emissions in Hokkaido.

 

Going forward, Kitagas will continue to contribute to the development of local communities and low carbon emissions and decarbonization in Hokkaido by popularizing natural gas and developing the infrastructure to supply it in pursuit of the optimization of energy and the environment to help establish a comfortable society.

 

 

Reference: About the Luminara

A cruise ship operated by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

 

 

▼ Truck for truck-to-ship LNG bunkering (Port of Hakodate)

 

Contact: Wide-Area Sales Group, Engineering Solutions Department, Hokkaido Gas Co., Ltd. E-mail: kg-13-02-01@kitagas.com

 

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