MES Developing New Eco Gas Carrier

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday October 7, 2014

Japan's Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) has announced that it is currently developing medium-size multi-gas carriers capable of carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) and by-products of shale gas drilling such as ethane and ethylene gas (LEG).

The company said that the neo82GC prototype was made in anticipation of the continued "shale gas revolution" upping ethane gas exports from the U.S..

The growing trade scale of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) such as propane and butane was also said to have prompted the move.

MES is speculating that over the next decade, both large-scale and medium-scale LNG carriers will serve hub ports around the world, while LEG carriers will make the shift to larger carriers from the smaller carriers that are more commonly seen now. 

The larger LEG carriers, MES said, would be comparable in capacity to medium-sized LNG carriers. 

MES said that the past few years have seen the company developing its line of "neo" series ships which focus on creating next generation eco-friendly bulker carriers. 

The neo82GC is the first gas carrier to be added to the line. 

Norway-based Moss Maritime A/S is expected to collaborate with MES for a further technical review of the multi-gas carrier. 

Navigator Holdings Ltd. also ordered several LNG carriers earlier this year with the expectation of increased ethane gas exports from the U.S..

Ship & Bunker News Team
To contact the editor responsible for this story email us at editor@shipandbunker.com