Japan's NS United has revealed an order for a new coastal limestone carrier powered by LNG and batteries.
The 5,560-dwt vessel will be owned by the company's domestic subsidiary Naiko Kaiun Kaisha and built at Tsuneishi Shipbuilding.
NS United has partnered with charterers Nippon Steel Corp and Nippon Steel Cement, Japan Petroleum Exploration, which is providing the fuel, and engine maker Kawasaki Heavy Industries for the project.
The newbuilding is due in February 2024 and will replace the 5,500-dwt Shimokita Maru (built 1994). No price has been given.
The engine will run only on LNG, the first time this has been done in Japan, with back-up from a 2,847 kW-hour lithium-ion battery.
The LNG fuel tank will use a 7%-nickel steel plate developed by Nippon Steel for the first time on a vessel.
The propulsion power and the electric power during sailing are generated by the Kawasaki engine.
Zero emissions in port
"Only natural gas will be used for high power, long distance, and long duration navigation," the shipowner said.
Power while the ship enters port and berths will be provided by the battery to achieve zero-emission operation.
The 94-metre-long carrier will reduce carbon dioxide by 23.56% compared to conventional vessels, NS United added.
The engine produces almost no SOx, and NOx emissions will also be reduced.
The vessel will ply a route between the loading port of Shiriyamisaki and the discharge destination Muroran.
The project is backed by the Japanese government's Global Environment Bureau.
NS United's fleet of 68 ships includes VLOCs, LNG carriers and LPG vessels.
