Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (KHI) announced that its shipyard delivered the “AXIS RIVER” (Kawasaki hull no. 1756), an 86,700 m3 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia (NH3) carrier powered by LPG.
The “AXIS RIVER” is the first of Kawasaki’s newest-design 86,700 m3 capacity, LPG-fueled LPG/NH3 carrier, with the increased cargo capacity from the existing 84,000m3 LPG Carrier design as well as ammonia loading capability.
As for LPG-powered vessels, Kawasaki has completed eight vessels to date, and the “AXIS RIVER” is its seventy-first LPG carrier in total the company states.
This latest LPG/NH3 carrier has a capability of simultaneous transportation of LPG, which is already widely used as a low-carbon-emission energy source, and ammonia, which may be expected to be utilized as a new fuel in the low- and zero-carbon-emission societies. Furthermore, this vessel is designed to increase cargo tank capacity, with keeping its principal dimensions like LOA and beam similar to conventional-type vessels so that the carrier can be berthed at major LPG terminals around the world.
Specifications of the vessel is loa 229.90 m, beam 37.20 m, draft 11.60 m, deadweight 56,503 t, cargo tank capacity 86,919 m3, class Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), flag Panama, Kawasaki-MAN B&W 6G60ME-C10.5-LGIP diesel main engine giving an approximate speed of 17 knots.
Furthermore, the shipyard mention that the fuel consumption amounts are reduced through the inclusion of the Kawasaki RBS-F (Rudder Bulb System with Fins), the Kawasaki SDS-F (Semi-Duct System with contra Fins), and energy-saving fins around the propeller.
The concept design for a system that utilizes ammonia as fuel on this vessel has also been approved by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) it says, and therefore, it is possible to modify ship design specifications to enable the use of ammonia as fuel in the future.
