NYK Joins Newbuilding Order for LNG Carrier
March 19, 2004
NYK on March 17 reached a basic agreement with Gaz de France, a state-run gas company of France, to participate in the latter's newbuilding order for an LNG carrier as its partner. The French firm recently signed a letter of intent concerning the newbuilding order.
The outline of the new vessel is as follows:
| To be built at | : |
Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a subsidiary of Alstom of France |
Date of completion |
: | October 2006 |
| Tank | : | Membrane type |
| Capacity | : | 153,000 m3 (largest type in the world) |
| Propulsion system | : | Dual Fuel Diesel-Electric Propulsion System |
NYK presently operates an LNG carrier outfitted with an onboard reliquefaction system, the only equipment of its type in the world. The recent agreement with Gaz de France will also enable NYK to get involved together with the French company in the construction of the world's first LNG carrier using the dual fuel diesel-electric propulsion system ahead of other firms.
NYK is pushing ahead with the global expansion of bulk and energy transport services as announced in its medium- and long-term group management vision "Forward 120."
In the LNG carrier division as well, NYK has been striving to expand service by establishing NYK Global LNG, which specializes in LNG-related business, in London and Houston, both pivotal service hubs, in 2002.
Henceforth, NYK will continue to vigorously develop its overseas operations in addition to its domestic services that form the basis of NYK's overall business.
Outline of Gaz de FranceA leading LNG importer in Europe, Gaz de France boasts annual sales of more than 60 billion cubic meters. It has been chartering six LNG carriers with two additional vessels now on order.