KHI delivers second 82,000 cbm LPG carrier for Astomos

The 82,200 cbm gas carrier is the second of two carriers ordered by Astomos from Kawasaki in November 2015. A sister vessel, Maple Gas, was delivered in March 2019.

The shipyard announced that the vessel was the second newbuilding to be equipped with a scrubber – the first such vessel, Pyxis Pioneer, was delivered in April 2019. The energy-efficient, electronically-controlled, ultra-long-stroke, two-stroke low-speed diesel engine (a 7-cylinder Kawasaki-MAN B&W 600mm bore engine) will be compliant with the IMO’s 2020 emissions regulations. The vessel is the 59th LPG carrier to be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The LPG carrier is equipped with four Type A independent insulated cargo tanks arranged inside the hold.

The NS Dream features the SEA-Arrow bow shape, which improves propulsion performance. In addition, the vessel features Kawasaki rudder bulb system with fins (RBS-F) and the semi-duct system with contra fins (SDS-F), which will help to reduce fuel consumption.

The 229.9-metre long vessel is designed to New Panamax dimensions, with a beam of 37.2 metres, and will be used to transport LPG from AltaGas’ Ridley Export Terminal in Canada to Japan. AltaGas and Astomos Energy Corporation concluded an agreement under which Astomos would purchase 50% of the 1.2 million tonnes of propane shipped from the terminal each year from 2019.

Astomos is a significant LPG shipper, and owns a fleet of 21 LPG carriers. Its annual LPG shipment volume exceeds 10 million tonnes and is the leading importer into Japan. In addition to the volumes from West Canada, Astomos imports LPG from the Middle East, the US, West Africa, and Australia.

PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS: NS Dream