Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivers new LNG carrier to MOL

Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has delivered a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to domestic shipping company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).

Prior to delivery, the 155,000m³ capacity ship was named Marvel Pelican. It is the final vessel of the three newbuilding LNG carriers.

The LNG transporter will be deployed to carry shale gas-derived LNG under charter contracts signed with Mitsui & Co in September 2014 and January 2015.

MOL said that Marvel Pelican will transport LNG products from the Mitsui & Co-supported Cameron LNG project in Louisiana, US.

Fitted with a two propulsion-motor system, Marvel Pelican is equipped with dual-fuel diesel-electric (DFDE) propulsion system that uses both heavy fuel oil and natural gas.

DFDE system enables the ship to use more eco-friendly natural boil-off gas.

The system incorporates a more economical design compared to the standard steam turbine propulsion system.

KHI has refined the hull structure of the LNG carrier to reduce its overall weight. As a result, the Marvel Pelican is able to dock at almost all significant LNG terminals across the world.

A few weeks ago, Mitsui OSK Lines entered a long-term charter agreement with French oil company Total for a second large liquified natural gas (LNG) bunker ship.

In October, Mitsui & Co, Cargill and Maersk Tankers partnered to leverage existing fuel-saving technology and develop new solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the shipping industry.