NYK’s third LNG-powered pure car and truck carrier, Jasmine Leader, has arrived in Japan’s Hiroshima port following its recent delivery in China.
According to a statement by NYK, this is the first time for an LNG-powered PCTC to call at the Hiroshima port.
Prior to entering the port on February 27, Jasmine Leader received LNG fuel from Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel, Kaguya, NYK said.
NYK is also a partner in the venture that owns the bunkering ship, Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan. The other partners include JERA, Toyota Tsusho, and K Line.
The new LNG-powered PCTC with a capacity of 7,000 units will transport cars manufactured by domestic firm Mazda, but also for other customers seeking to reduce their environmental impact in the logistics field, NYK said.
NYK took delivery of this vessel from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing on January 31.
The vessel features WinGD’s 7X62DF-2.1 two-stroke engines coupled with shaft generators, DC-links, and battery systems.
This is the first of four vessels with a capacity of 7,000 units NYK ordered at the Chinese yard in February 2021.
NYK is positioning LNG fuel as one of the bridge solutions until future zero-emission ships are realized, and plans to take delivery of a total of 20 new LNG-fueled car carriers by 2028.
The firm took delivery of Japan’s first LNG-powered PCTC, Sakura Leader, in October 2020, followed by its second PCTC, Plumeria Leader, in March last year.