Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has decided to employ JGreeX, a green steel product produced by JFE Steel Corporation, for its next Ultramax bulker. This vessel, built by Imabari Shipbuilding and finished in 2026, will be the largest ship in the world made entirely of green steel, resulting in a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions throughout the construction process.
In keeping with its objective to mitigate climate change, JFE Steel Corporation unveiled the JGreeX brand, which offers green steel goods made using extremely sophisticated steelmaking techniques that produce noticeably less CO2 emissions than those of traditional products. In the first year of production, JGreeX is planned to have an annual supply capacity of 200,000 tonnes, emphasising reaching zero CO2 emissions. However, actual emissions may vary.
JFE Steel will use a mass-balance approach to guarantee transparency and credibility. The independent organisation ClassNK will conduct third-party certifications to verify the CO2 emissions-reduction levels of JGreeX products.
JFE Steel’s overarching strategy is to become carbon neutral by 2050, focusing on lowering CO2 emissions and the carbon footprint of its steelmaking processes through various measures.
The choice made by K-Line aligns with its long-term environmental strategy, which emphasises decarbonisation and a zero environmental impact target, as stated in the “K” keeping Environmental Vision 2050: Blue Seas for the Future.
The corporation updated its environmental goal in 2021 to strive for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The company plans to reach zero-emission boats by 2030.
Reference: K Line
