Japan's NS United orders hybrid limestone carrier
Japanese ship operator NS United Kaiun Kaisha has signed a shipbuilding contract with Nippon Steel Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries to build an LNG and battery hybrid coastal limestone carrier, it said on September 30.
This vessel is scheduled to start operations in February 2024 and will be equipped with Japan’s first gas-only engine and a total 2,847 kWh lithium-ion battery. The LNG fuel tank is planned to use a 7% nickel steel plate developed by Nippon Steel for the first time as a marine tank.
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The propulsion power and the onboard electric power during the sailing are generated by the gas-only engine developed by Kawasaki Heavy. Only natural gas will be used for high power, long distance, and long duration navigation, NS United said. The propulsion power and the onboard power during entering, leaving and berthing ports will be provided from the battery to achieve zero-emission operation.
The CO2 emission reduction of this vessel is 23.56% compared to the conventional vessels of the same type, and the exhaust gas of the gas-only engine contains almost no SOx.
The newbuild will serve as a replacement for the limestone carrier Shimokita Maru and go between the loading port of Shiriyamisaki and the unloading port of Muroran.