K Line Wins AIP for New LNG-Fuelled Vessel

Japanese shipping major Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) and the shipbuilding and repairing company Namura Shipbuilding have jointly received an Approval in Principle (AIP) for the concept design of an LNG-fueled ore carrier from DNV GL.

"Work on this joint project for the development of an LNG-fueled ore carrier has complied with both environmental and actual operation requirements as follows, based on the second generation WOZMAX of Namura Shipyard," said a press release from the provider of container, breakbulk and roll-on, roll-off shipping.

WOZMAX (registered brand of Namura Shipyard) is an optimum size of vessel that can call main West Australian iron ore loading ports, which stands for “West” “OZ” “MAX”.

The new design would keep almost the same dead-weight and normal service speed as WOZMAX, retain enough endurance for round-trip between Singapore and Brazil in gas fuel mode, arranging the LNG tanks in center section of hull, as well as achieve Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) phase 3 by means of primary fuel changes to LNG, K Line said.

In addition to LNG fuel conversion, we studied the possibility of it being combined with Shaft Generator, Binary Cycle Power Generation System and Lithium Battery so as to further reduce CO2 emissions and confirmed that this system can achieve an additional further 4% reduction of fuel oil consumption.

K Line is continuously attempting to obtain greater efficiency in its operations as well as further reduction of CO2 emissions and environmental pollutants in accordance with K Line Environmental Vision 2050, our long-term environmental management vision.

This system is considered as one of the efficient systems that will help us achieve our goals by 2050.

Environmental concern with greenhouse gas emission effect is growing and K Line  will, based on K Line Environmental Vision 2050, encourage less environmental load from marine transport by operating ships that are highly energy efficient and which contribute to conservation of the global environment.