Namura Shipbuilding has delivered an 87,000 cbm dual-fuel powered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia carrier, the Aquamarine Progress II, to Aramo Shipping (Singapore), a subsidiary of Japanese shipping giant MOL.The LPG carrier will sail under a time charter contract with GYXIS, a Japanese LPG importer/distributor.
The naming ceremony for the Aquamarine Progress II was held on March 12, 2024 at Meimura Shipbuilding’s Imari factory. The LPG carrier has an overall length of 230 meters, a beam of 36.6 meters with a cargo hold capacity of 87,119 cbm, and it is equipped with dual-fuel engines that can run on both LPG and conventional heavy fuel oil.
According to Mitsui, LPG fuel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 20% and sulfur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by about 90% compared to conventional heavy fuels. The new LPG carrier is designed to maximize fuel efficiency and comply with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase III standards.
MOL has now set a goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The company recently decided to utilize the performance-based interest subsidy system based on Japan’s Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness to raise funds through a syndicated transition-linked loan.
MOL’s business adaptation plan was approved by the Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on March 28, 2024, making it the first Japanese shipping company to use the system.
It is understood that Naimura Shipbuilding officially delivered its first VLGC “Phoenix Harmonia” in September last year.
Previously, Naimura Shipbuilding built its largest LPG carrier with a capacity of 22,500 cbm, which was also handed over to a company owned by MOL.