The Path to Decarbonization
of the Maritime Industries -Season10-

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by around 2050. Under the mid-term measures discussed by IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), regulations are expanding beyond CO₂ to include all GHGs, including slip methane. Slip methane has a high global warming potential (GWP ^(*1) = 28) among GHGs, and reducing its emissions offers significant benefits.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Equipment Co., Ltd. is developing a "Methane Oxidation Catalyst System for Marine LNG Engines" to enable the post-treatment of slip methane emitted from LNG-fueled engines.
This system is jointly developed by integrating our catalytic device design and manufacturing technology with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.'s installation engineering expertise and Daihatsu Infinearth MFG. Co., Ltd.'s engine optimization technology. Initial performance tests conducted on land have confirmed a methane oxidation rate of over 70%, and demonstration testing will continue for one year starting in May 2025. The demonstration tests are being carried out on the LNG bunkering vessel^(*2) "KEYS Azalea" operated by KEYS Bunkering West Japan Co., Ltd., with the cooperation of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line).
By consistently working to reduce GHG emissions from ships, we aim to continue contributing to the global enhancement of ships' environmental performance.

(*1) GWP: Abbreviation for Global Warming Potential, a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps  in the atmosphere compared to CO₂, which has a baseline value of 1.
(*2) LNG bunkering vessel: A small vessel that supplies LNG fuel to ships powered by LNG.

Arsenio Dominguez IMO事務総長(右)とJohannah Christensen GMF社長(左)

In pursuit of realizing the 2030 vision established by the IMO to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, our company is actively engaged in technology and product development.
Until the stable supply of zero-emission fuels is achieved in the shipping industry, our company will contribute to reducing GHG emissions by expanding and providing Energy Saving Devices (ESDs) for vessels in operation. Specifically, as a new ESD for vessels in operation, we have developed and launched the "MARF (Mitsubishi Advanced Reaction Fin)" based on the reaction fin technology owned by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding.
MARF is a product which consists of a half-moon shaped duct with fins installed in front of a propeller. The fins inside the duct generate a counter-rotating water flow, recovering rotational flow that would otherwise be lost and producing forward thrust with the outer duct. This combination of characteristics supports energy-efficient vessel operations.
MARF is particularly effective for low-speed and heavy vessels such as bulk carriers and tankers, with expected fuel savings improvements of approximately 5% to 8%.
Our company remains committed to actively contributing to the decarbonization of the shipping industry.

fig1. Flow field estimation by CFD Analysis

Participation in Global Conference

Participation in the GMF(*) Annual Summit

From October 20 to 22, 2025, the GMF Annual Summit was held in Antwerp, Belgium, following the previous summit in Tokyo in 2024. Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and more than 250 leaders across the whole value chain including energy, maritime, port, finance, insurance, participated at the summit and exchanged their views, insights and discussed how to cope with the social challenges such as climate change, through a series following many presentations and panel discussions and workshops.
Just a few days before the summit, the extra-ordinary session of MEPC83 (83rd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee) was held in London. The adoption of the intermediate measures such as GFI (GHG Fuel Intensity) which was approved in April was postponed the votes for adoption for one year; however, the maritime industry confirmed that it would continue its efforts regarding all measures such as alternative fuel production in scale, improvement of energy efficiency, crew training, etc., to achieve the ambitious target of GHG net zero by 2050.
MHI Group, as one of the technology providers in the maritime industry, will continue its contribution for the decarbonization of shipping. The next summit will be held in Shanghai in October 2026.

 Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General Director of IMO (Right)
Mr. Johannah Christensen, President of CEO of GMF (Left)