NYK, Jera seal LNG carrier charter deal

Japan’s shipping giant NYK and compatriot power firm and LNG importer Jera have signed a ten-year charter agreement for one 174,000-cbm LNG carrier.

According to a statement by NYK, the vessel will be built by South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries and is scheduled to begin transporting LNG for Jera after completion in 2027.

This is the eleventh LNG carrier for which NYK has signed a time charter contract with Jera.

The vessel will be equipped with WinGD’s X-DF2.2 iCER dual-fuel, low-speed diesel engine, GTT’s Mark III Flex cargo containment tech, and a reliquefaction system.

It will be 289.9 meters long and 46.1 meters wide.

NYK’s president and CEO, Takaya Soga, said in November that NYK is working to further expand its giant fleet of LNG carriers and LNG-powered vessels.

According to NYK’s second-quarter FY 2023 earnings presentation, NYK had 115 LNG carriers in its fleet as of September 30, including pre-delivery vessels with long-term charters.

Moreover, out of these 86 LNG carriers are in operation.

NYK also recently said it is working with Namura Shipbuilding and Sasebo Heavy Industries to replace the main propulsion on steam turbine–driven Moss-type LNG carriers with a dual-fuel diesel engine.