NYK Line, Astomos Energy takes delivery of dual-fuel LPG carrier

Japanese shipping company NYK Line and LPG trader Astomos Energy have taken delivery of an LPG dual-fuel LPG carrier.

PHOTO: NYK Line’s LPG dual-fuel LPG carrier Gas Garnet. NYK Line

The LPG carrier, Gas Garnet, can run on both LPG and conventional marine fuel oil. It has been built by Sakaide Works, a unit of Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The vessel requires a small amount of heavy oil as pilot fuel for LPG fuel ignition, NYK Line says.

Compared to conventional marine fuel, the use of LPG reduces sulfur oxides (Sox) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 95% and 20%, respectively, NYK Line claims.

This marks the first LPG carrier to be jointly owned by both the companies since Gas Capricorn in 2003.

The vessel will join a fleet of 107 LPG-fuelled LPG carriers in operation globally, according to the classification society DNV.

LPG seems to be a preferred alternative fuel choice among LPG carrier owners, with LPG carriers making up all LPG-fuelled vessels.

The number of LPG-fuelled vessels will increase to 182 towards 2027, with 75 vessels on order – 72 LPG carriers, two ethane carriers and one LPG/ammonia carrier.

By Tuhin Roy

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