In the midst of the recent world-wide movement for reinforcement to control waste gas from ships, many discussions are now being made to develop a bunkering base in Japan, overviewing the expected diffusion of LNG-fueled vessels in the future. For charging fuels, trucks, tanks and ships are being considered, and they have a potential to do with new demands for low-temperature tanks.
　
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is now implementing reinforcement of restrictions on SOx or NOx emitted from ships in the designated sea zones like the North American Coast area and Nord-Ostsee Kanel. It is said that the emission control will be enhanced step by step from 2020, and the Japan Sea area will not be an exception. With the background of the strengthen the regulations the demand for LNG-fueled ships had increased with developments mainly in the field of ferry since 2000. About 80 LNG vessels went into service in 2015.

In the domestic market Nippon Yusen (NYK) completed a LNG-fueled tug boat, and it has been introduced since last August in Yokohama Port for the first time in Japan. On the other hand Hyundai Mipo Dockyard of Korea received an order for shipbuilding of an LNG-fueled bulker in July of this year and the types of ship are diversifying now.

As the LNG ships come to prevail over the world in the future, there will be more requirements for bunkering bases. No navigation of LNG-fuel ships will be expected without bunkering bases. Earlier developments of LNG bunkering bases will be also related to the enhancement of international competitiveness of the domestic ports and harbors which are suffering the decrease in their handling volume of containers.

Tokyo Gas out of the members will be in charge of LNG supply facilities, who was in charge to develop means to supply fuel to the aforementioned LNG tug boats of Nippon Yusen and has been supplying LNG to LNG tug boats after the completion. Tokyo Gas will study for an optimum supply method taking advantage of its knowledge.