Japan’s shipping giant NYK said it had ordered its fifth dual-fuel very large LPG/liquefied ammonia gas carrier (VLGC) from Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI).
The 230 meters long 86,700-cbm VLGC will be built at the KHI Sakaide Works shipyard and is set for delivery in 2026, according to a statement by NYK on Friday.
NYK did not reveal the price tag of the order.
This vessel is the seventh in NYK’s fleet of LPG-fueled LPG carriers and the fifth in a new type of vessel that is also capable of carrying ammonia.
It will feature separate cargo tanks designed to carry LPG and ammonia at the same time to flexibly respond to various trade patterns, NYK said.
Furthermore, in addition to the LPG dual-fuel engine, the ship will have a shaft generator that can generate electricity during the voyage by using the rotation of the shaft that connects the main engine to the propeller.
Since the diesel generator can be stopped during normal seagoing transit, realizing full navigation with LPG fuel will be possible except for the use of a small amount of pilot fuel.
When LPG is used as fuel, exhaust gas from the ordered VLGC will contain at least 95 percent less sulfur oxide (SOx) and 20 percent less CO2 compared to NYK’s conventional VLGCs using heavy-oil fired engines, the firm claims.
The vessel is expected to be given notations by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) as a VLGC that has a preparatory design in accordance with the guidelines issued by ClassNK so that this vessel may use ammonia fuel in the future, NYK said.