NYK and Astomos Energy Christen New Dual-Fuel LPG Carrier

First new joint ownership with Astomos Energy in 21 Years

Mar. 14, 2024

On March 1, a naming ceremony was held at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. for the first new LPG carrier jointly owned by NYK and Astomos Energy Corporation ("Astomos Energy") since the two companies shared ownership of Gas Capricorn from 2003. NYK seeks to further strengthen its long-standing relationship with Astomos Energy and contribute to the decarbonization of the supply chain by promoting environmentally friendly fleet development.

The vessel was christened "Gas Garnet" by Yoshihito Takahashi, senior executive officer of Astomos Energy, and the ceremonial rope was cut by his wife. NYK Managing Executive Officer Hironobu Watanabe attended the ceremony with others from NYK to welcome the ship and pray for safe voyages.

The vessel has a dual-fuel engine that uses heavy oil and LPG. In addition, the ship is equipped with a shaft generator that generates electricity by rotating the shaft connecting the main engine to the propeller, enabling the vessel to stop operating the diesel generator during standard navigation and realize full LPG-fueled navigation.* Compared to conventional heavy oil-fueled vessels, SOx (sulfur oxides) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the exhaust gas are reduced by more than 95% and 20%, respectively, when the ship is fueled by LPG.

The vessel has a dual-fuel engine that uses heavy oil and LPG. In addition, the ship is equipped with a shaft generator that generates electricity by rotating the shaft connecting the main engine to the propeller, enabling the vessel to stop operating the diesel generator during standard navigation and realize full LPG-fueled navigation.* Compared to conventional heavy oil-fueled vessels, SOx (sulfur oxides) and CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the exhaust gas are reduced by more than 95% and 20%, respectively, when the ship is fueled by LPG.


From the right
1st: Kota Goto, Executive Officer, Managing Director Head of Corporate Banking Division No.10, MUFG Bank, Ltd.
2nd: Hironobu Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer, NYK
3rd: Yoshihito Takahashi, Senior Executive Officer, COO International Business Division, Astomos Energy Corporation
5th: Toshinori Higashimura, Managing Executive Officer, COO Corporate Division, Astomos Energy Corporation
6th: Motohiko Nishimura, Senior Managing Executive Officer, President Energy Solution & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Image by NYK Group.

Outline of Gas Garnet
Length overall: 229.90 m
Breadth: 37.20 m
Depth: 21.90m
Summer draft: 11.65m
Tank capacity: 86,953 m3

* A small amount of heavy oil is used as pilot fuel for LPG fuel ignition.


Image by NYK Group.

NYK Group, press release