K Line welcomes new LNG-fueled 7,000 CEU car carrier

Japanese shipping company Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has taken delivery of a new car carrier powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and with a capacity of 7,000 CEUs.

As disclosed, the vessel has been constructed at the Marugame Headquarters of Imabari Shipbuilding. The newbuild boasts a length of almost 200 meters, a width of 38 meters and a draft of 9.6 meters. It is equipped with a dual-fuel electronic control engine, 6S60ME-C10.5-GI-EGRBP, which was developed by German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES).

Additionally, with regard to fire safety measures that K Line has been working on for some time, this is the first of its new car carriers to acquire the ClassNK notations (Fire Fighting and Electric Vehicle). Including this vessel, five other car carriers operated by K Line have acquired these notations.

 A naming ceremony was also held on the day of the delivery, and the vessel was named Poseidon Highway.

LNG fuel is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30% and emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100%. This is also a next-generation environment-friendly vessel that is expected to cut emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 80% to 90% by using EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) in addition to the LNG fuel, K Line noted.

Last month, another LNG-powered car carrier, Nereus Highway, joined K Line’s fleet. The 7,000 CEU vessel is the first LNG-fueled ship built by the Chinese shipyard for K-Line as part of the order from September 2021.