Japan Names its First LNG Bunker Vessel
A naming ceremony for Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel was held on September 16 at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, shipping company K Line said on September 18 in a statement. Kawasaki had launched the vessel in May this year.
The vessel, named Kaguya, will be operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation (CLS) and will be based at Jera's Kawagoe gas-fired power station in Mie prefecture and start ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations. Kaguya will begin supplying LNG to ships in the Chubu region in October or later this year. The vessel has a length of 81.7 m and LNG cargo tank capacity of 3,500 m3.
CLS is a joint venture comprising shipping companies K-Line and NYK Line, Jera, and trading company Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
After the start of operation, Kaguya will supply LNG to Sakura Leader, which is the first large LNG-fuelled PCTC (pure car and truck carrier) operated by NYK, and to a new car carrier to be delivered by K-Line this fiscal year, as well as to other LNG-fuelled vessels.