2,500 m³ LNG Carrier North Pioneer Delivered

 Tokyo, November 25, 2005 – Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation today delivered the North Pioneer, a 2,500 m³ LNG carrier, to Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency and Japan Liquid Gas Transport Co., Ltd. The vessel marked the 1,571st built by Kawasaki Shipbuilding but only the second LNG carrier intended for domestic use. It was a collaboration between Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd., which built the hull, and Kawasaki Shipbuilding, which built the all-important cargo section.

 The 89.2 m compact LNG carrier features two cryogenic tanks developed by Kawasaki Shipbuilding that demonstrate its technological expertise. The insulated, horizontal cylinder tanks are independent of the hull, thus safely able to absorb temperature contractions.