TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. has delivered its first LNG-Specific Limestone Carrier on March 19. The vessel is the replacement vessel of “Shimokita Maru,” a limestone carrier owned by NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd. It is installed with a hybrid propulsion system that combines an LNG-Specific-Gas engine and batteries manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. This vessel is LNG-Specific Limestone Carrier that enables zero-emission operation when entering and leaving port.
The vessel is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system that is combination of an LNG-Specific-Gas engine and batteries without compromising the loading and unloading performance of conventional vessels, due to the ingenious shape of the cargo holds. In addition, the vessel takes measures against limestone dust, vibration control and installing unit lavatories in all cabins to improve safety and the onboard environment, offers a comfortable living space that partially incorporates TSUNEISHI’s original concept, NEXT STYLE*.
By using LNG fuel, CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 24% compared to conventional heavy oil-fueled vessel, and the exhaust gas does not contain SOx. In addition, this LNG tanks are used 7% nickel steel plate developed by Nippon Steel Corporation for the first time as a marine tank, which have the same performance as conventional 9% nickel steel plates while reducing the amount of nickel used.
TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd. will continue to accelerate research and development of various next-generation fuel vessels through the technology it has acquired in this project.
“We are committed to provide our customers with new types of vessels that can achieve both environmental performance and economic efficiency, thereby contributing to the reduction of the burden on the global environment.”
About the Shimokita Maru as the replacement vessel
- DWT: About 5,646MT
- LOA: About 93.8m
- Breadth: About 18.2m
- Draft: About 9.9m
- Propulsion System: hybrid propulsion system that combines an LNG-Specific-Gas engine (8L30KG) and batteries (Made by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.)
- Main Route / Cargo: Port of Shiriyazaki – Port of Muroran / Limestone