Shipping major Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (“K” Line) has announced plans to buy eight new car carriers.
The new vessels will be more environmentally-friendly as they will be fuelled by liquefied natural gas. LNG is the super-cooled and liquid form of “natural gas” which is predominantly the compound gas methane (four hydrogen atoms to one carbon atom), and a mix of other gases. Combustion of LNG produces significantly fewer air pollutants than conventional marine fuels and far less carbon dioxide.
“K” Line reports that the next-generation of environmentally friendly vessels are expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by 25% to 30%, emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100%, and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 80% to 90% with use of LNG fuel and Exhaust Gas Recirculation compared to
conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil.
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In “K” Line’s Environmental Vision 2050, the company has set a 2030 interim target of improving carbon dioxide emission efficiency by 50% over 2008, surpassing the IMO target of 40% improvement. The company is planning to substitute LNG fuel and other new fuels for conventional heavy fuel oil to achieve its targets.
“K” Line is a Shipping Australia member.
