"K" Line LNG Car Carrier Concept Design
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (“K” Line), a major shipping company headquartered in Tokyo, has unveiled plans to develop a new car carrier that uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel and is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions 40% over vessels running on fuel oil, reports Nikkei. The marine shipper will develop the carrier with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, supplier of the gas engines, and Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the Norwegian body that approves technological standards for ships.
The carrier is expected to be 143m long and be able to ship around 2,000 autos. Nitrogen oxide emissions also will be 80-90% lower than with conventional diesel engines. The ship is set to start operating in fiscal 2015.
“K” Line, which launched the world’s first car carrying ship in 1970, will use the new carrier to meet Europe’s tightening emissions standards for ships as well as bringing stability to operating costs in the face of fluctuating oil prices. The ship will reportedly be operated by a group firm transporting cars in Europe.
