NYK christens LNG dual-fuel Capesize bulker in China

Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has named the 180,000 dwt LNG/dual-fuel Capesize bulker built for Japan’s shipping titan Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK).

As disclosed, the vessel—made in cooperation with China Shipbuilding Trading (CSTC)—was named SG Aquamarine during a ceremony held on December 3, 2024. According to SWS, the newbuilding possesses an overall length of 292 meters, a beam of 45 meters, and a draft of 18.3 meters.

What is more, SG Aquamarine has reportedly been classed by Japan’s Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, otherwise known as ClassNK.

Watch the naming ceremony for SG Aquamarine!

Regarding the ship’s energy conservation and environmental protection, the unit is fitted with energy-saving ducts to improve the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) metrics and achieve a reduction in harmful pollutant emissions, SWS explained.

On the technological end, SG Aquamarine is said to possess a modular fuel gas supply system (FGSS), which the Chinese corporation elaborated aided in optimizing the installation phase and increasing the rate of pre-outfitting. Its main engine is the MAN B&W 6G70ME-C10.5, developed by Germany’s manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES).

Japan’s inaugural LNG-powered Capesize bulker was christened and delivered at the beginning of February this year. The 210,000 dwt vessel, SG Ocean, was ordered by NYK and was built to transport iron ore and coal from Australia to Japan under a long-term consecutive voyage charter contract with JFE Steel Corporation (JFE).

This endeavor on NYK’s part was in line with the company’s goal of cutting down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45% from fiscal 2021 levels by fiscal 2030 while tackling the challenge of decarbonizing an entire supply chain.

From a broader perspective, in July this year, the Japanese shipping major’s subsidiary, NYK Bulkship, set its eyes on wind-assisted propulsion, having installed the first units of this kind on the 82,100 dwt Panamax bulker, NBA Magritte.

As per NYK, this was the first time that such units were installed on an NYK Group vessel.