Delivery of LNG-fueled Car Carrier "PONTUS HIGHWAY" with a 7,000-vehicle Capacity

November 28, 2024

"PONTUS HIGHWAY", a car carrier with a capacity of 7,000 vehicles, has been delivered to Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. ("K" LINE) on November 28. As same as the "NEREUS HIGHWAY", its sister-vessel, which was delivered in August, the vessel is mainly fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and was constructed by CHINA MERCHANTS JINLING SHIPYARD (JIANGSU) CO., LTD.

LNG fuel is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30%, emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100%, and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by approximately 75%, which is compliant with IMO Tier III NOx regulations, compared to conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil. It is equipped with the latest dual-fuel electronic control engine, "7X62DF-2.1 iCER" by WinGD, which will reduce methane slip when using LNG fuel.


Car carrier "Pontus Highway".   Image by K-Line.

In "K" LINE Environmental Vision 2050 -Blue Seas for the Future- *1, we have set the 2030 interim target of improving CO2 emissions efficiency by 50% compared with 2008, surpassing the IMO target of a 40% improvement.

Furthermore, we set our new target for 2050 as "The Challenge of Achieving Net-Zero GHG Emissions". As an action plan, we will continue to work on the introduction of new fuels which have a low environmental impact and take on the challenge of achieving the targets we have established.

Vessel Particulars
Main Measure: LOA 199.99 meters x Beam 38.00 meters x Depth 39.28 meters x Draft 9.00 meters
Gross Ton: 75,698 T
Main Engine: WinGD 7X62DF-2.1
Speed: 19.0 KTS
Class: DNV
Flag: Panama
Builder: CHINA MERCHANTS JINLING SHIPYARD (JIANGSU) CO., LTD.

*1. "K" LINE Environmental Vision 2050- Blue Seas for the Future:
As an action plan to reduce GHG, we are engaged in number of initiatives, for instance introducing zero-emission fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen fuels, and carbon-neutral fuels such as bio-LNG and synthetic fuels. www.kline.co.jp/en/sustainability/environment/management.html


Signing ceremony. From left: Assistant Manager of Car Carrier Planning & Development Group, Hiroto ARAI, "K" LINE, Assistant of General Manager, Jiang Debing, CHINA MERCHANTS JINLING SHIPYARD (JIANGSU)CO., LTD.   Image by NYK.

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. press release