Japan's first LNG-fueled ferry, the Sunflower Kurenai owned by MOL and operated by its group company MOL Sunflower, Ltd., won the highest award, the Grand Prize, in the 2023 Nikkei Excellent Products and Services Awards.

The Nikkei Excellent Products and Services Awards, marking their 42nd anniversary this year, are presented every year to particularly outstanding new products and services. Products and services launched during the year 2023 and published in the media of Nikkei Inc. are judged comprehensively in the following six categories: 1- technological development, 2- cost effectiveness, 3- performance contribution, 4- growth, 5- uniqueness, and 6- impact on industry and society. In 2023, 16 best products and services (5 for production goods, 5 for consumer goods, and 6 for services) were selected from 228 candidates as particularly outstanding new products and services.

The Sunflower Kurenai was highly regarded, especially for its uniqueness and social impact, as it was the first LNG-fueled ferry to enter service in Japan.

Features of the vessel

1. Use of LNG fuel

Compared to conventional vessels fueled by heavy oil, the use of LNG reduces emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by about 25%, sulfur oxides (SOx) by 100%, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 85%. This contributes to the realization of a low-carbon, decarbonized society.

2. Increased cargo capacity

Significantly increased the number of trucks that can be transported. In addition, the drivers' rooms have been expanded to enhance the comfort of truck drivers while they are onboard the ferry. This will encourage the advancement of Japan's modal shift and help solve the 2024 problem in logistics.

3. Expansion of 'Casual Cruise Concept'

The Sunflower Kurenai offers enhanced onboard facilities befitting a "Casual Cruise," the basic idea behind the MOL Group's ferry business, enabling customers to enjoy cruising as a high-quality means of travel by using regularly scheduled routes. The floor area of the Grand Bathroom is doubled, the number of seats in the restaurant was enlarged 1.5 times, and spacious and open public areas including a three-layer atrium were newly created. The vessel also features high-grade rooms that promise comfortable relaxation in an extraordinary space, such as suites with balconies that provide comfort for people of all ages, and with pet rooms where passengers can spend the whole night with their pets. The new ferry contributes to improving the well-being of customers by providing a pleasant cruise experience.