NYK’s green fleet grows as JMU delivers new LNG dual-fuel Capesize bulker

Japanese shipping giant Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has welcomed a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered dual-fuel dry bulk carrier SG Twilight constructed by compatriot shipbuilding player Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU).

As disclosed, the delivery ceremony for the 210,933 dwt Capesize bulker was held on February 14, 2025, at JMU’s Tsu shipyard in Mie prefecture. The newbuilding has an overall length of 299.99 meters, a breadth of 50 meters, a depth of 25 meters and a draft of 18.43 meters, with a gross tonnage of 110,334 GT.

By using LNG instead of conventional heavy fuel oil, the NOx III-compliant vessel is expected to emit practically no sulfur oxides (SOx) and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 25-30%. In addition to this, per the shipbuilder, SG Twilight can achieve a reduction of more than 40% in the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

As informed, SG Twilight possesses the two-stroke slow-speed 7X62DF-2.1 engine made by Swiss marine power company WinGD featuring iCER (intelligent control by exhaust gas recycling) which ‘enhances’ fuel efficiency and halves the methane slip.

Representatives from JMU have elaborated that the adoption of a low-pressure main engine ‘simplifies’ the fuel gas supply system, including the generators and auxiliary boilers which are also dual-fuel compatible, resulting in lower power consumption.

The system utilizes N-BOG (natural boil-off gas) generated from LNG evaporation within the tank to prevent waste and slash emissions, JMU said.

In order to preserve energy, SG Twilight reportedly features a low-resistance hull form of heavy fuel oil-powered ships that works in unison with JMU’s proprietary energy-saving devices including the LEADGE bow, the SURF-BULB, ALV-Fin, the super stream duct (SSD), and a twisted rudder (Rupas).

Now that it has been delivered, SG Twilight is set to sail under NYK Line’s Sail GREEN brand, which was expanded from the Car Transportation Division to other business divisions in April 2022 when the shipping heavyweight announced it had launched a new NYK GREEN EARTH brand as well to accelerate its net zero by 2050 ambitions.

The first two vessels under the new brand’s flag were two LNG-powered pure car and truck carriers (PCTC)—the Plumeria Leader, which is considered the second LNG-fueled PCTC made in Japan, and its predecessor Sakura Leader.

In February 2024, NYK and JMU rolled the red carpet for what was described as the first LNG-powered Capesize bulker to be built in Japan. Christened the SG Ocean, this 210,000 dwt sail GREEN unit was deployed to transport iron ore and coal from Australia to Japan under a long-term consecutive voyage charter contract with JFE Steel Corporation (JFE).