NYK Signs Shipbuilding Contract for Four LNG-Fueled Car Carriers

Japanese shipping line NYK has signed a contract for four large liquefied natural gas-fueled pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

The shipbuilding contract was signed with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Najing, China and calls for four 7,000 CEU-capacity ships to be fueled by LNG. Delivery is currently for planned for 2022 and 2023, at which point the vessels will be assigned to routes in Europe and the Middle East.

NYK said the vessels will mark the first use of the WinGD’s X-DF2.0 iCER main engine, which reduces fuel consumption and emissions through the use of inert gas, resulting in the reduction of methane emissions by up to 50 percent from LNG fuel. The vessels will also feature hybrid battery technology and an optimized hull to significantly reduce SOx, NOx, and carbon emissions by approximately 40 percent or more.

NYK says it is seek to replace its current PCTC fleet with around 40 newbuild LNG-fueled ships over the next decade as part of its goal to reduce per ton-kilometer CO2 emissions by 50 percent by 2050. NYK is also seeking to explore zero-emission vessels powered by fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia from the mid-2030s.

NYK took delivery of its first LNG-fueled PCTC, the Japanese-build Sakura Leader, in October. The company is also building a second vessel in Japan with delivery planned for 2022.

Vessel Particulars:

Length overall: about 199.90 meters
Breadth: about 38.00 meters
Total car capacity: 7,000 units
Gross tonnage: 72,800 tons
Flag: To be decided

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