Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) delivered its first LPG-fuelled very large gas carrier (VLGC) yesterday to Singapore-based shipowner Kumiai Navigation.
Kumiai Navigation will operate the 84,229m³ VLGC Crystal Asteria for Japanese LPG importer Astomos, which has aimed to reduce carbon dioxide and sulphur oxide emissions while promoting LPG use as marine fuel. Japan's LPG industry is aiming to expand LPG use as a marine fuel following a shrinking domestic market.
The VLGC is equipped with KHI's dual-fuel LPG engine, known as ME-LGIP, enabling the vessel to use both pressurised LPG and very-low sulphur fuel oil.
KHI also received an order from domestic LPG importer Gyxis to build a LPG-fuelled VLGC, which can carry LPG and liquefied ammonia at the same time, targeting a delivery by the summer of 2023.
Source: Argus