NYK will build a tugboat featuring a dual
fuel engine that can be powered by either LNG or heavy oil. Other than
LNG carriers, this tugboat will be the first building in Japan of an
LNG-fueled vessel.
NYK has
enhanced its initiatives to mitigate environmental loads through the
practical realization of environment-responsive technologies such as
solar-powered systems and air-lubrication systems. In 2011, NYK
established a team in the company’s Fuel Group to research
next-generation fuel alternatives to heavy oil, and looked into building
an LNG-fueled vessel with the cooperation of Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and
others, based on the results of a survey conducted by the Japan Railway
Construction, Transport and Technology Agency. LNG received attention as
a possible alternative to heavy oil because LNG does not emit any SOX
and produces far less CO2 and NOX compared to heavy oil. In fact, using
LNG as a fuel will cut this tugboat’s emissions of CO2 by about 30 per
cent, NOX by about 80 per cent, and SOX by 100 per cent compared to using heavy oil.
This
project will be subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and
Industry and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and
Tourism. Tokyo Gas Co. will supply the LNG, and with the support of Tokyo Gas, NYK will make arrangements for a safe LNG supply system.
The NYK Group will aggressively continue to encourage initiatives to mitigate environmental loads by vessels.
Post to be found at:
www.maritime-executive.com/article/NYK-to-Build-Japans-First-LNGFueled-Tug-2013-12-25/
