Mitsubishi Shipbuilding launches LNG-powered RO/RO vessel

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), held a christening and launch ceremony on June 7 for the Trans Harmony Green, the first of two LNG-powered roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) ships being constructed for Toyofuji Shipping, according to a statement by MHI.

The ceremony took place at the Enoura plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The ship's handover is scheduled for late January 2025, following the completion of outfitting work and sea trials. The Trans Harmony Green will operate as a RO/RO vessel on shipping routes in Asia.

The vessel measures approximately 195 m in length, 30.6 m in breadth, and has a gross tonnage of approximately 49,500. It can simultaneously transport about 3,000 passenger cars.

The ship's main engine and main generator engine are dual-fuel engines that can operate on either LNG or diesel fuel. These engines enable a reduction in CO2 emissions by more than 25% compared to ships of the same hull type powered by fuel oil, and they cut SOx (sulfur oxides) emissions to near zero, significantly reducing the vessel's environmental footprint, MHI stated.