Ministry approves Japanese LNG-fueled bulker development plan

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has approved NYK’s and Oshima Shipbuilding’s plan to develop an LNG-fueled post-Panamax bulk carrier. 

According to the joint plan, NYK and Oshima Shipbuilding will have the next four years to do the research and development of the LNG-fueled vessel.

According to NYK, the plan includes minimization of the loss of cargo space by optimizing LNG fuel tank and accommodation arrangements, as well as to reduce the construction time by 20 percent for LNG-fueled ships.

MLIT’s approval is expected to accelerate the practical application of the plan.

The aim of the project is to also reduce the energy efficiency design index (EEDI) for bulk carriers post-2025 by 30 percent, NYK said.

While some vessels recently have been able to reduce their EEDI by 20 to 30 percent, such reductions are difficult for the post-Panamax vessels in some conditions. However, using LNG as fuel would contribute to the reduction.