China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing has started building the first out of four LNG-powered pure car and truck carriers for Japan’s NYK.
To mark the start of construction, the yard held a steel cutting ceremony on September 29.
NYK said earlier this year it had ordered the LNG-powered PCTCs with a capacity to carry about 7,000 units.
The Chinese yard will deliver the dual-fuel ships in 2022 and 2023.
NYK plans use the 200 meters long PCTCs to transport vehicles mainly to/from Europe and/or to the Middle East.
In addition, the vessels will feature WinGD’s 7X62DF-2.1 two-stroke engines coupled with shaft generators, DC-links, and battery systems.
NYK has last year taken delivery of Japan’s first LNG-powered pure car truck carrier, Sakura Leader.
The firm is investing heavily in LNG-powered vessels as it looks to cut emissions and comply with more stringent IMO rules.
Earlier this year, it had also confirmed plans to order twelve LNG-fueled PCTCS at two Japanese yards.
Including these additional 12 new vessels, NYK’s total number of LNG-fueled PCTCs would increase to 20 by fiscal 2028 through a total investment of about 200 billion yen ($1.79 billion), NYK previously said.
