NYK Line has wrapped up an order for four LNG-fuelled capesize bulk carriers at three shipyards in Japan and China.
The Japanese owner said it will build two vessels at Nihon Shipyard, and one each at Namura Shipbuilding and China's Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding.
The ships will be delivered in 2024 and 2025, but the company did not disclose the size or price.
Broking sources suggested that a 180,000-dwt LNG-fuelled capesize newbuilding would cost around $80m, compared with $60m for one using conventional marine fuel.
NYK said it viewed the newbuildings as a "bridging solution" to its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It plans to make further investments "step by step" in LNG-fuelled vessels, until it is ready to order more environmentally friendly zero-emission ammonia and hydrogen-fuelled ships.
It said it could expect a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by using LNG as the main fuel, as well as a 100% reduction in sulphur oxide emissions and an 85% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.
Last year, NYK ordered a 210,000-dwt LNG-fuelled bulker at Nihon Shipyard under a long-term charter with JFE Steel.
Japanese companies K Line and Mitsui OSK Lines have also placed orders for LNG-fuelled bulkers in Japan.
Although there has been concern over methane slip from LNG-fuelled vessels, technology is being developed in Japan to reduce the problem by 70% by 2026.
