In order to secure a dedicated tank that is indispensable for building a ship that uses LNG = liquefied natural gas as fuel, which emits less carbon dioxide, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has decided to increase the production capacity of these tanks in Japan. Our policy is to support domestic production by subsidizing part of the cost.
Toward the realization of a carbon-free society, the shipping industry is seeing increasing demand for ships that use LNG, which emits less carbon dioxide than heavy oil, as fuel, and three major domestic shipping companies will meet by 2030. We have announced a policy to introduce about 170 vessels.
On the other hand, domestic shipbuilding companies rely on imports for most of the fuel tanks for LNG that are indispensable for these ships, and it is an issue to secure stable tanks in order to increase the production of LNG fueled ships in the future. I am.
For this reason, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of the Environment are planning to embark on new support to support the domestic production of tanks.
Specifically, in addition to subsidizing half of the cost to companies that have made capital investment to increase the domestic production capacity of fuel tanks for LNG, it is necessary to investigate whether standards such as shapes and materials can be unified to promote mass production. We have included the necessary expenses in this year's supplementary budget.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism hopes to strengthen the international competitiveness of the Japanese shipbuilding industry through this support with an eye on a carbon-free society.