Japan’s shipping giant NYK has confirmed plans to place an order for twelve LNG-fueled pure truck and car carriers at two compatriot yards.
NYK said in a statement on Tuesday it has agreed to a memorandum of understanding for the consecutive building of LNG-powered PCTCs at Shin Kurushima Dockyard, and Nihon Shipyard.
The two yards would each build six ships and deliver them from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2028.
To remind, Nikkei reported on the order on Monday saying NYK would invest over 100 billion yen ($912 million) in the LNG-powered vessels.
NYK did not disclose the price tag in its statement.
The shipping firm said the vessels would be about 200 meters long with a total car capacity of 6,800–7,000 units.
NYK has last year taken delivery of Japan’s first LNG-powered pure car truck carrier, Sakura Leader.
Moreover, NYK said in February it had ordered four LNG-powered PCTCs with the same capacity as the new vessels from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard.
The newest move is in line with NYK’s PCTC fleet replacement plan as it looks to reduce CO2 emissions per ton-kilometer of transport by 50% by 2050.
“The use of LNG fuel, in addition to hull modification to improve fuel economy, will contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions by approximately 40% compared to ships using conventional heavy fuel oil,” NYK said.
Including these additional 12 new vessels, NYK’s total number of LNG-fueled PCTCs would increase to 20 by fiscal 2028 through a total investment of about 200 billion yen ($1.81 billion), it said.
NYK aims to further advance to zero-emission vessels utilizing marine fuels that have a lower environmental impact, such as hydrogen and ammonia, from around 2030.