Japanese LPG trader and importer Astomos Energy Corporation has announced that it will bring the liquified petroleum gas (LPG)-powered very large gas carrier (VLGC) into operation later this month, says an article published in Offshore Energy.
Vessel ready to operate
The vessel is being built by compatriot shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) at its Sakaide shipyard. Singapore-based shipowner Kumiai Navigation will operate the 84,229 cbm VLGC for Astomos.
Dual fuel system
The ship is 299 meters long, 37.2 meters wide, and will be equipped with KHI’s dual-fuel LPG engine which can run on both pressurized LPG and fuel oil. LPG as a fuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 20%, and sulfur oxides, particulate matter by about 90% in comparison with fuel oil, the company noted.
Converting LNG to VLGC
Astomos has been considering introducing LPG-fueled tankers into its VLGC fleet for a few years, in response to the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 zero-emission targets.
“We will continue to switch from heavy oil vessels to LPG-fuelled vessels as one of the possible solutions and promote other environmentally friendly fleet development,” the company pointed out.
Recently, the company signed an agreement to purchase carbon-neutral LPG from oil major Shell.
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