NYK names new dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier for Astomos

Japanese shipping major NYK Line has named the newbuild LPG dual-fuel very large gas carrier (VLGC) for charter with compatriot LPG trader and importer Astomos Energy.

The LPG/ammonia carrier was named Liberty Pathfinder at a ceremony held on September 4 at the Sakaide Works (Kagawa Prefecture) of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The newbuild is Astomos Energy’s fifth LPG dual-fuel carrier, following Gas Amethyst which was delivered in June this year.

Like its sister vessels, the Liberty Pathfinder has a length of 229 meters, a breadth of 37 meters, a depth of 22 meters, and a tank capacity of 86,953 cubic meters.

It runs on a dual-fuel engine that can use heavy oil and LPG as a fuel. When LPG is used as fuel, sulfur oxides (SOx) in exhaust gas are reduced by more than 95% and carbon dioxide (CO2) by more than 20% compared with conventional heavy oil–fueled vessels, NYK states.

In addition to LPG, the vessel can carry ammonia, for which demand is expected to increase as it is attracting attention as a means of realizing a decarbonized society in the future.