MM:Japanese shipbuilders develop fuel-efficient carriers for natural gas
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. said separately Tuesday that they have developed liquefied natural gas carriers that can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent and around 30 percent, respectively, compared with conventional vessels.
Mitsubishi Heavy said it plans to build a new steam turbine ship, featuring four LNG cylinder tanks on the deck covered by a huge hood intended to reduce head wind pressure, at its Nagasaki shipyard.
Mitsui Engineering said its new ship can be fueled by heavy fuel oil or natural gas, allowing the operator to choose depending on fuel prices. Its ship is priced similar to comparable vessels offered by South Korean rivals, it said.
