PCC/PCTC

VESSEL REVIEW | Century Highway Green – K Line’s LNG-powered car carrier with 7,000-vehicle capacity

Baird Maritime

Japanese operator Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) recently took delivery of the first LNG-powered vessel to join its fleet, the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) Century Highway Green.

Built at the Tadotsu Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding, the NK-classed newbuild has an LOA of 199.98 metres, a beam of 37.2 metres, a depth of 36.51 metres, a gross tonnage of 73,515, and capacity for 7,080 vehicles.

Power is provided by one MAN B&W 8S50ME-C9.6-GI dual-fuel main engine that can operate on either diesel or LNG to deliver a service speed of 18 knots. Providing the LNG supply to the engine is a fuel tank with a total capacity of 2,439 cubic metres.

The engine is also capable of reducing emissions of methane slip and is fitted with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The generator meanwhile is fitted with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. Both the EGR and the SCR help ensure compliance with IMO Tier III NOx regulations whether LNG or diesel is used.

The PCTC has also been equipped with ClassNK's generator status diagnostic software that will aid the crew in the early detection of engine-related anomalies, thereby lowering the risk of serious failures.

Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Darren Hutton

K Line said that Century Highway Green was designed to accommodate up to 50 crewmembers, which the company has admitted is a larger than usual number even for a ship of this size. Since the International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) established by the IMO stipulates that gas-powered vessels also need to be capable of providing opportunities for on-board training, the vessel's crew capacity was deliberately increased to allow as many personnel as possible to be accommodated on each voyage so that they can undergo training in operating a ship with gas propulsion.

Wi-fi connectivity is available in the crew accommodation spaces as well as in the engine room, the cargo deck, and even in areas of the ship that house the equipment associated with the LNG propulsion system. K Line said such connectivity will help improve efficiency in daily operations, such as when performing remote monitoring of all interior spaces.

The wi-fi network can be used to share audio, video, text communication, and electronic files using smartphones and smart glasses to improve efficiency, reduce workload, and strengthen communications among the crew. These same devices may be utilised for ship-to-shore audio and video communication as well.

The wi-fi connectivity also allows web cameras installed in the cargo deck and the engine room to send real-time video feeds to the crew via their mobile devices and onboard computers. Real-time monitoring of the same video footage can also be done remotely by an operator at a shore control station.

Photo: K Line
Century Highway Green
SPECIFICATIONS
Type of vessel:Pure car and truck carrier
Classification:ClassNK; IMO IGF Code
Flag:Japan
Owner:Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Japan
Operator:Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Japan
Builder:Tadotsu Shipyard, Imabari Shipbuilding Group, Japan
Length overall:199.98 metres
Beam:37.2 metres
Depth:36.51 metres
Gross tonnage:73,515
Capacity:7,080 vehicles
Main engine:MAN B&W 8S50ME-C9.6GI
Cruising speed:18 knots
Cameras:Web cameras
Other equipment installed:Exhaust gas recirculation system; selective catalytic reduction system
Interior fitout/furnishings:Engine room; cargo deck
Type of fuel:Diesel; LNG
Fuel capacity:2,439 cubic metres
Crew:50