Japanese Player Orders Second Very Large LPG Carrier with "Superlative Fuel Efficiency"

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday October 3, 2014

Japan's Astomos Energy Corporation has ordered a second fuel-efficient very large liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, MHI announced this week. 

Scheduled for completion and delivery by the first half of 2016, the vessel was said to have features including a unique hull design that will give the vessel "superlative fuel efficiency."

It will have a capacity of up to 83,000 cubic metres of LPG and mooring arrangement that will allow passage through the expanded Panama Canal.

The vessel, a replacement for one of Astomo's old carriers, is currently being built at MHI's Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works.

Astomos currently operates a fleet of 23 large-scale LPG carriers, 17 of which were built by MHI. 

According to MHI, Astomos is currently expanding its LPG transport structure in an effort to to raise handling volumes to 12 million tons per year from its current 10 million.

The company added that with the boom in shale gas in the U.S., demand for North American-produced LPG is predicted to rise worldwide. 

"In tandem with this expansionary trend, coupled with the enlargement of the Panama Canal, newly constructed ships must offer increased carrying capacities and be able to transport over longer distances," MHI said. 

It was reported last year that increased U.S. shale drilling has produced more LPG and has boosted LPG shipping rates.