Japan to Launch First LNG Bunkering Vessel in 2020

Central LNG Shipping Japan Corporation (CLS) placed an order a 3,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel (LBV) on July 6, the first to be operated in Japan.

The joint venture company, established by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Chubu Electric Power, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, ordered the new vessel from Japanese shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The LBV, which is scheduled to be delivered during the period from September to December 2020, will feature 4,100 tons. According to the shipbuilder, the vessel will have a length of 81.7 meters and a breadth of 18 meters.

The four companies jointly established CLS and Central LNG Marine Fuel Japan Corporation in May 2018 to launch the LNG Bunkering Business in the Chubu region of Japan. The LBV will be owned and managed by CLS, and LNG will be supplied to end-users through CLMF.