JAPAN’S NYK has taken delivery of the first LNG-fuelled Capesize bulk carrier built in a Japanese yard and it will be dedicated to Australian ore and coal trades.
The 210,933 DWT SG Ocean was named at a ceremony held last week at Japan Marine United Corporation’s Tsu Shipyard in Mie Prefecture, and will be deployed to transport iron ore and coal from Australia to Japan under a long-term consecutive voyage charter contract with JFE Steel Corporation
NYK is expanding its fleet of LNG-fuelled vessels to meet the group’s goal of reducing GHG emissions by 45% from fiscal 2021 levels by fiscal 2030 while taking on the challenge of decarbonizing an entire supply chain.
The company the vessel was named SG Ocean to reflect the SG of NYK’s ‘Sail GREEN’ brand, which emphasises reducing GHG “through the transport of goods and contributing to the eco-friendly supply chains of customers, and the image of a vessel sailing majestically in the open ocean while protecting the environment”.
NYK said that by utilising LNG fuel, the vessel will emit almost no sulfur oxides, 75% less nitrogen oxide and 25% less carbon dioxide compared with existing conventional heavy-oil-fuelled vessels.
Additionally, the vessel will be compliant with the IMO’s NOx emission regulations (Tier III). The vessel uses the latest 7X62DF-2.1 iCER dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine by WinGD, whis is claimed to halve methane emissions when using LNG fuel.
Furthermore, “due to careful consideration of the equipment and arrangement of the LNG fuel tank and LNG fuel supply system, this ship will maintain the loadable quantity and cargo hold capacity of conventional bulk carriers of the same size despite the increased weight of additional equipment”, NYK said.
