NYK takes delivery of methanol-fueled methanol tanker
Written by Nick Blenkey
Takaroa Sun is powered by a MAN Energy Solutions second-generation MAN B&W ME-LGIM two-stroke dual-fuel engine that runs on both methanol and conventional marine fuel.
Tokyo headquartered Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Group) has taken delivery of Takaroa Sun, a 49,000 dwt methanol-fueled methanol carrier funded through NYK’s green financing initiative (see earlier story).
Built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai MIPO Dockyard, the ship is powered by a MAN Energy Solutions second-generation MAN B&W ME-LGIM two-stroke dual-fuel engine that runs on both methanol and conventional marine fuel.
The vessel will be chartered to Waterfront Shipping Company Limited (WFS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Methanex Corporation, the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol, in a long-term time-charter agreement between WFS and NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd., an NYK Group company based in Singapore.
“We are delighted to establish this relationship with WFS, which has expertise in methanol shipping, and we welcome our first methanol-fueled vessel into our fleet,” said Takeshi Kishi, managing director of NYK Bulkship (Asia) Pte. Ltd.
As a marine fuel, says NYK, methanol is safe, biodegradable, and clean-burning, offering compliance with the IMO 2020 regulations by reducing SOx emissions by approximately 99 percent.
With the ability to be produced from renewable sources, methanol can also provide a pathway to meeting future carbon emission reduction targets.
The vessel also has a processor that reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) so that they meet the IMO’s stringent Tier III regulation.
“We are very pleased with the performance of our existing methanol-fueled vessels that have proven the safety and reliability of the technology. With the delivery of Takaroa Sun, we are continuing to benefit from innovative technological advances that will optimize performance and efficiency,” says Paul Hexter, President, Waterfront Shipping Ltd. “On an energy-equivalent basis, methanol is cost-competitive over the cycle and we see significant value creation opportunities from using a methanol flex-fuel engine.”
Takaroa Sun Vessel Particulars
- Deadweight tonnage: 49,000 tons
- Length overall: 183 meters
- Breadth: 32.2 meters
- Shipbuilder: Hyundai Mipo Dockyard
- Flag: NIS (Norwegian International Ship Register)
Categories: Environment, News
