Osaka Gas recently held a naming ceremony for its first LNG bunkering vessel, currently under construction, ahead of the launch of its ship-to-ship bunkering operation in April.
Named “SETO AZURE” after Seto Inland Sea—one of the locations where the company’s STS bunkering service will take place—the bunkering vessel is scheduled to commence operations in April.
With Osaka Gas selling and providing LNG, SETO AZURE will supply LNG to LNG-fuelled ships including capsize bulkers operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE), and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK).
The introduction of the ship-to-ship bunkering method complements Osaka Gas’s existing bunkering operations, which currently utilise the Truck-to-Ship and Port-to-Ship methods.
“We are excited to commence our Ship-to-Ship LNG bunkering operations next month,” commented Mr. Masataka Fujiwara, President and Representative Director of Osaka Gas.
“Amid the global momentum towards decarbonization and low-carbon initiatives, Osaka Gas is dedicated to providing a stable supply of LNG to meet the growing demand from LNG-fueled vessels.”
With its newly comprehensive bunkering service that covers all three major bunkering methods, Osaka Gas intends to contribute further to a stable and flexible LNG fuel supply.
Photo credit: Osaka Gas
Published: 10 March, 2026
