Kawasaki Receives First Order for Domestic-use LNG Bunkering Vessel

Tokyo, July 6, 2018 — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced today its signing of a shipbuilding contract for one 3,500 m³ capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel. The contract was signed with the Central LNG Shipping Japan Corporation, a joint venture between four companies: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" Line), Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., Toyota Tsusho Corporation and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line). Kawasaki plans to construct the vessel at its Sakaide Shipyard and deliver it in 2020.

LNG bunkering vessels are outfitted with the facilities necessary to supply LNG-fueled ships with fuel while at sea. Increasing numbers of operators are to the use of ships powered by LNG fuel in place of heavy fuel oil; this new vessel will be the first to be constructed for domestic use within Japan, serving as an effective measure in response to stricter vessel exhaust-gas emission restrictions scheduled for implementation in 2020.

Kawasaki is making use of its wide array of LNG-related technologies in the development and design of this new vessel. The ship will come equipped with one independent, cylindrical, horizontally mounted pressure-accumulation tank made from a durable aluminum alloy—a type that has seen successful use on many Kawasaki-built coastal LNG vessels. For thermal insulation, the tank utilizes the proprietary Kawasaki Panel System, which is renowned for its world-leading performance and quality. In 2016, Kawasaki delivered two LNG-fueled pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels, which were the first of their kind in the world; the company is now putting the knowledge gained through those efforts to good use in the current LNG bunkering vessel construction project.

Principal particulars of the new LNG bunkering vessel are as follows.

Moving forward, Kawasaki will continue to pursue shipbuilding operations in light of the anticipated rise in demand for LNG and other liquefied gas as clean-energy fuels.