Japan’s KHI to build LPG-fuelled LPG, ammonia carrier

Japan's shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) plans to build an LPG-fuelled LPG and liquefied ammonia carrier for domestic shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line).

KHI aims to finish building the 86,700m³ very large gas carrier (VLGC) by 2026. The vessel will be able to carry LPG and liquified ammonia at the same time. It will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine, which can burn LPG and conventional low-sulphur fuel oil, to reduce emissions of sulphur oxide and CO2. The vessel will comply with global sulphur oxide cap regulations, and the phase three regulations of the International Maritime Organization's energy efficiency design index.

KHI plans to build the ship at its Sakaide shipyard in Japan's southern prefecture Kagawa. Domestic classification society ClassNK will also certify the vessel as a ship that is designed to carry ammonia in future, in line with ClassNK's design guidelines. The ship will be NYK Line's eighth LPG-fuelled LPG carrier and its sixth ammonia carrier.

KHI previously delivered the 86,700m³ LPG-fuelled LPG and ammonia carrierAxis River to Japanese shipping firm Kline on 30 June.

By Nanami Oki