Japanese companies Kyushu Electric Power, NYK, Itochu Enex, and Saibu Gas have established a joint venture company with the goal of beginning the operation of an LNG fuel supply business for ships in Kyushu and Setouchi regions in the spring of 2024.
The LNG bunkering vessel to be used by the KEYS Bunkering West Japan joint venture will be built by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. Completion of the vessel is scheduled for March 2024.
NYK said it will be the first LNG bunkering vessel to be operated in Western Japan. Once completed, it will have an LOA of 82.4 metres, a beam of 18.2 metres, a draught of 4.8 metres, and a total LNG cargo tank capacity of 3,500 cubic metres.
Power will be provided by a dual-fuel engine that can operate on either LNG or diesel.
