NYK orders a ‘world first’

The vessel has been ordered for a planned LNG bunkering business in North Europe and is the first project for a new partnership between GDF Suez, Mitsubishi and NYK, which signed a framework agreement earlier this week to develop the LNG bunkering market through LNG bunkering vessels.

NYK’s tanker will be based at the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium and will deliver LNG to LNG-fuelled vessels operating mainly in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. GDF Suez has already secured long-term access rights in the Fluxys LNG terminal at Zeebrugge port.

With increased emissions regulations, LNG demand as a fuel is growing significantly in the seas around Europe.

This LNG supply and sales business will initially be targeted at LNG-fuelled car carriers operated by United European Car Carriers.

Delivery is scheduled for 2016.