Tokyo: NYK has concluded time-charters for two new LNG carriers with Diamond Gas International, a Singapore affiliate of Mitsubishi Corporation. The ships will haul gas from the Cameron LNG project in Louisiana in the US to Asia, primarily Japan.
NYK has chosen Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build two 165,000 cu m vessels for the contract. The vessels will deliver in 2018.
The new vessels will have apple-shaped tanks as part of the Sayaringo series of tanks, which have greater LNG-carrying capacity. These next-generation carriers will also have a structure that reduces ship weight and air resistance, in addition to a hybrid propulsion system combining a steam turbine and engines that can be fired by gas.
The NYK news follows on from a similar announcement by compatriot owner Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) who announced an LNG ship order earlier this week also for the Cameron LNG project.
