Japanese bulk carrier shipping company NS United has signed a contract with Nihon Shipyard, a joint venture of Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United (JMU), for the construction of a 209,000 dwt methanol dual-fuel Newcastlemax bulk carrier, which is expected to be delivered in 2027 or later.
The new 300-meter-long bulk carrier is designed to meet EEDI Phase III requirements and will be delivered for the transportation of raw materials in Japan and overseas. The order is part of NS United’s medium-term investment strategy and goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
NS United is said to have a fleet of more than 200 vessels. The company has planned to invest about US$1.4 billion to rejuvenate its fleet by 2030, of which about US$290 million has been earmarked for environmentally friendly investments, such as engine conversions. About $1 billion is planned for new fuel vessels such as methanol.
NS United is currently involved in a number of biofuel trials and is also a member of the project to develop a 200,000 dwt ammonia-fueled bulk carrier.
The order is the second order made public by Nippon Shipyard this year.On January 18, Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) announced that it had signed a contract with the shipyard for the construction of three super-panamax bulk carriers.