Japan’s shipbuilder Tsuneishi said it had delivered the LNG-powered coastal limestone carrier, Shimokita Maru, to compatriot NS United Naiko Kaiun Kaisha.
The shipbuilder handed over the first LNG-powered limestone carrier it ever built on March 19, it said in a statement.
It features a hybrid propulsion system that combines an LNG-fired gas engine built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and a lithium-ion battery.
Tsuneishii said the LNG tanks are the first marine tanks to use 7 percent nickel steel plates developed by Nippon Steel Corporation, which have the same characteristics as conventional 9 percent nickel steel plates while reducing the amount of nickel used.
Also, Tsuneishi said the the new vessel will replace the old limestone carrier “Shimokita Maru” owned by NS United Naiko Kaiun Kaisha, a unit of NS United Kaiun Kaisha.
Back in 2021, NS United ordered this 5,646-dwt hybrid LNG-powered vessel at Tsuneishi.
The 93.8 meters long and 18.2 meters wide carrier will serve a charter with Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel Cement.
Japan Petroleum Exploration (Japex) will supply LNG to the ship.