Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has taken delivery of the 7,000 CEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered dual-fuel car carrier “Nereus Highway” from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) (CMJL (Nanjing)) .
The two parties have signed a contract for the construction of two 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel powered car carriers in September 2021 by “cloud contracting”. The order is part of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha’s Environmental Vision 2050.
Classed by Det Norske Veritas (DNV),”Nereus Highway” is about 200 meters in length and 38 meters in beam. It is equipped with dual-fuel electronic WinGD 7X62DF-2.1 engines, which reduce methane emissions when using LNG.
Compared to conventional heavy fuel oil, LNG is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) by 25 to 30 percent, sulphur oxides (SOx) by nearly 100 percent and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by about 75 percent, which is in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) nitrogen oxides Tier 3 regulations.
It is understood that K Line’s first LNG dual-fuel powered car carrier “Century Highway Green” was delivered in March 2021, built by Imabari Shipbuilding Group, with a length of 199.98 meters, a beam of 37.2 meters, a gross tonnage of 73,515 and a deadweight of 17,000 tons. With a gross tonnage of 73,515 and a deadweight of 17,000 tons, it can carry up to 7,000 vehicles.
In addition, K Line has chartered two LNG dual-fuel powered 7,000 CEU car carriers, the Odin Highway and Thor Highway, from Bermuda-based shipowning and chartering company Ship Finance International (SFL).
The vessels measure 200 meters in length, 38 meters in beam, have a design draft of 8.6 meters, a design speed of 19 knots, and are equipped with 13 decks, two of which can carry hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.