Phoenix Tankers, a unit of Japan’s shipping giant MOL, has ordered one very large gas carrier which can transport both LPG and ammonia.
Japan’s Namura Shipbuilding will build the LPG-powered vessel at its Imari Shipyard, under a technical tie-up with compatriot Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, according to a MOL statement.
MOL did not reveal the price of the contract saying there is also an option for a second carrier.
The 87,000-cbm vessel will join Phoenix Tankers after 2023.
Moreover, the vessel will be 230 meters long and 36.6 wide, making it the world’s largest-scale ammonia carrier, MOL said.
Namura will build the vessel with “an eye toward conversion to ammonia fuel in the future because LPG and ammonia fuels have similar characteristics,” MOL said.
“Ammonia is drawing attention as a next-generation clean fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, and as “hydrogen carrier” that can be used to transport hydrogen,” it said.
The move is in line with MOL’s environmental vision as it looks to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.
MOL has this week ordered four LNG-powered car carriers. The shipping firm aims to have in total 90 LNG-powered vessels in its fleet by 2030.
