TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that the naming and delivery ceremony for the MOL-ordered LNG-fueled Capesize bulker for JFE Steel Corporation was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (Ehime Prefecture). The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means "Green Pioneer" in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal (Osaka Prefecture) of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The MOL Group aims to achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050 and will further expand the introduction of LNG-fueled vessels as an initiative that the group can do immediately, and accelerate its initiatives to reduce total GHG emissions. In line with the "MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2, " the group will continue to promote the strategy to "adopt clean energy" toward the realization of a decarbonized society.