Mitsubishi names third Cameron LNG-bound gas carrier

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) christened a new Sayaringo STaGE LNG carrier, the Diamond Gas Sakura.

MHI said on Monday that the vessel was being constructed for Mitsubishi Corp. and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line).

The new ship is the third Sayaringo STaGE type vessel for the two companies, featuring improved carrying capacity and fuel performance due to the adoption of a more efficient hull structure and hybrid propulsion system.

After completion and handover in May, the Diamond Gas Sakura will join the first two ships, the Diamond Gas Orchid and Diamond Gas Rose, in transporting LNG from the Cameron LNG project.

The Diamond Gas Sakura has a length of 293.5m, a width of 48.94m, the deadweight tonnage of around 73,800 tonnes, with a total tank holding capacity of 165,000 cbm. It is worth noting that the launching of the vessel took place on September 15, 2018.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding received the order for the new vessel through MI LNG Company, a joint venture for the design and sale of LNG carriers established by MHI and Imabari Shipbuilding.

The vessel is powered by its STaGE engine which is a hybrid propulsion system combining a steam turbine and gas-fired engines. It utilizes waste heat from the engines for the steam turbine for increased efficiency in both low and high-speed areas.