Toyofuji Shipping’s LNG-powered RoRo ship, the second in a batch of two, takes to the water

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has launched and christened the second of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered dual fuel roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) ships ordered by compatriot Toyofuji Shipping.

The ceremony took place recently at the Enoura Plant of MHI’s Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The ship, named Trans Harmony Emerald, is expected to be handed over in June 2025 following the wrap-up of outfitting work and sea trials.

As disclosed, the Trans Harmon Emerald measures around 195 meters in overall length, approximately 30.6 meters in breadth and a gross tonnage of circa 49,500, allowing it to transport about 3,000 passenger cars.

According to Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, the vessel is equipped with a dual fuel main and main generator engine, both of which can reportedly accommodate LNG and diesel fuel.

The company further highlighted that, together, the engines are expected to slash carbon dioxide emissions by over 25% and cut sulfur oxides (SOx) to ‘near zero’.

Just like its sister vessel the Trans Harmony Green, the Trans Harmony Emerald is set to join Toyofuji’s Asia route, specifically the Japan-southeast Asia service.

Trans Harmony Green, built to the same specifications as its newly christened sister ship, was launched in June 2024 and is anticipated for delivery in early 2025. This dual-fuel ship is also described as producing low emissions and leaving a minimal impact on the environment.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and Toyofuji Shipping have had a long-standing partnership within the RoRo market. To remind, in June this year, the two companies teamed up with compatriot Shizuoka prefecture-based Fukuju Shipping for methanol-fueled RoRo cargo ships.

As understood, these two ships will also be built at the Enoura Plant, with completion and handover slated for the end of fiscal 2027. The vessels will reportedly be around 169.9 meters in length, and 30.2 in breadth, with 15,750 gross tonnage and a 2,300-passenger vehicle loading capacity.

In addition to this collaboration, Toyofuji currently has two more vessels on order from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. According to information from London-based data provider VesselsValue, the latter is constructing a methanol dual-fuel RoRo that is anticipated for delivery in December 2027.

The second is a 12,200 dwt LNG/dual fuel pure truck, car carrier (PCTC), set for a handover in June next year.