Japan is betting on LNG powered ferries

These ships will be built in Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and their completion and transfer is planned at the end of 2022 from the beginning of 2023. Ferry Sunflower Limited based in Oita will operate ferries on the Osaka-Beppu route.

Ferries will have a length of about 199.9 m and a width of 28.0 m, and their gross tonnage will be around 17 300 tonnes. They will have a maximum planned capacity for 763 passengers and load capacity for approximately 136 13-metre trucks and 100 passenger cars. The main drive unit will be a high-performance dual-fuel engine capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and heavy type A oil, the first one on a Japanese ferry. These engines will ensure exceptional environmental performance, by reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% compared to existing ships and virtually eliminating sulphur monoxide emissions, reducing environmental burden.

The capacity of trucks was also significantly increased compared to existing units. The ferries will satisfy the need to change transport and will constitute an evolution in a free cruise, with relaxing and open public spaces, including an extended bathroom and restaurant and an atrium extending to three floors.

In the future, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding will continue to build passenger and transport ships. The company will provide technologies less harmful to the environment, cooperate with customers to address their diverse challenges, revive maritime transport and contribute to environmental protection.

Source: Sea News