Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries has concluded the first shipbuilding contract with Kawasaki Kisen Kaisya (K-line) for a new 86,700m3 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied ammonia gas (LAG) carrier powered by LPG fuel.

The vessel is equipped with separate cargo tanks designed to carry LPG and LAG at the same time. This contract represents the 71st LPG carrier to be constructed by Kawasaki, and their eighth LPG-fuelled LPG carrier. Kawasaki plans to complete the construction of the vessel at its Sakaide Works in 2023.

The advantage of this dual-purpose vessel is its capability to simultaneously carry LPG, which is already used as a low-carbon energy source, and LAG, a new fuel contributing to the establishment of a decarbonised society. Another feature is the greater capacity of the cargo tanks as compared to conventional carriers, which was achieved without significantly changing the vessel’s length, breadth, or other main specifications.

Fuelled by low-sulphur fuel oil and LPG, the vessel meets SOx emission standards set by the IMO as well as the IMO’s EEDI Phase 3 regulations, which are scheduled to adopt stricter CO2 emission standards in 2022.

To meet environmental standards being tightened globally, and to implement action plans set forth in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations and other initiatives, Kawasaki plans to develop and build more LPG-fuelled LPG carriers and other commercial vessels that meet environmental standards, as well as to develop other eco-friendly marine technologies, to contribute to the establishment of a low-carbon/decarbonised society. These products include vessels for transporting liquefied hydrogen, considered to be the next-generation energy source.