NYK, Astomos name new dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier

Japanese shipping company NYK and compatriot LPG trader and importer Astomos Energy Corporation have held a christening ceremony for a new liquified petroleum gas (LPG)/ammonia carrier.

As informed, the naming ceremony took place at Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries on March 1. The vessel was christened Gas Garnet by Yoshihito Takahashi, senior executive officer of Astomos Energy.

The LPG/ammonia carrier has a length of 229.9 meters, a breadth of 37.2 meters and a tank capacity of 86,953 cbm. It features a dual-fuel engine that uses heavy oil and LPG.

In addition. the ship is equipped with a shaft generator that generates electricity by rotating the shaft connecting the main engine to the propeller, enabling the vessel to stop operating the diesel generator during standard navigation and realize full LPG-fueled navigation.

According to NYK, compared to conventional heavy oil-fueled vessels, SOx (sulfur oxides) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the exhaust gas can be reduced by more than 95% and 20%, respectively, when the ship is fueled by LPG.

Gas Garnet is jointly owned by NYK and Astomos Energy. The partners aim to further strengthen their relationship, and contribute to the decarbonization of the supply chain by promoting environmentally friendly fleet development.

Earlier on, the firms collaborated on two vessels, Lupinus Planet and Lantana Planet.

As part of its decarbonization efforts, NYK recenlt joined forces with local companies Japan Engine Corporation (JMU), IHI Power Systems, and Nihon Shipyard to build the world’s first ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) equipped with Japan-made engines.

To be built at the Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, the 40,000 cbm type ammonia fuel ammonia carrier is scheduled for delivery in November 2026.