Newbuilding

“K” Line orders four LNG dual-fuel car carriers from Chinese yard

Firm says it has signed shipbuilding contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) for four 1,380-vehicle capacity LNG dual-fuel car carriers, designed for European short sea shipping operations.

Published

2 months ago

June 5, 2026

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Japanese shipping giant Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” LINE) on Thursday (4 June) announced that it has signed shipbuilding contracts with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co Ltd for four 1,380-vehicle capacity LNG dual-fuel car carriers.

The vessels were ordered for “K” Line European Sea Highway Services GmbH (KESS), the “K” LINE’s European subsidiary.

The vessels are designed for the frequent transport of small lots in European short sea shipping. They are also designed to comply with size restrictions, which some European ports for imported cars have. “K” LINE is confident that these vessel specifications will give KESS a competitive advantage in its European short sea shipping operations.

The use of LNG fuel is expected to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas (GHG), by 25% to 30% and emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx), which cause air pollution, by almost 100% compared to conventional vessels using heavy fuel oil. Additionally, to further reduce GHG emissions throughout the “K” LINE Group, the company will consider using bio-diesel and bio-LNG fuel, or liquefied bio methane, in addition to LNG fuel.

The vessels each use a high-pressure type ME-GI engine with a shaft generator, reducing emissions of methane slip (unburst gas), which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). While boil-off gas (BOG) generated from LNG tanks is generally used as fuel for generator engines on a vessel with a high-pressure main engine, these vessels are equipped with vacuum-insulated LNG tanks to reduce the generation of BOG. This enables a machinery configuration with lower methane slip emissions.

Under the Group’s long-term environmental policy, the “K” LINE Group set the target of achieving net-zero GHG emissions in 2050. In line with this, “K” LINE has been working to introduce and operate LNG-fuelled ships. The continuous use of bio-LNG is one of its key initiatives for achieving this target.

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 5 June, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

Published

3 hours ago

July 20, 2026

Admin

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually.

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

Methanol

Wallenius Wilhelmsen dual-fuel car carrier to complete first methanol bunkering op

Company has taken delivery of “Arctic Tern”, the first vessel in its new Shaper Class series; the ship is expected to complete its first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery.

Published

1 week ago

July 13, 2026

Admin

Wallenius Wilhelmsen dual-fuel car carrier to complete first methanol bunkering op

Norwegian energy company Equinor on Thursday (9 July) said it has taken delivery of Arctic Tern, the first vessel in its new Shaper Class series, marking a significant milestone in the company’s fleet renewal journey.

The vessel is also expected to complete its first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery, marking another step in Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s decarbonisation journey.

With dual-fuel capability, methanol readiness and enhanced operational efficiency, Arctic Tern supports customers’ growing demand for more sustainable and future-ready logistics solutions.

The delivery of Arctic Tern marked a defining moment for Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The vessel will be deployed through EUKOR Car Carriers, the jointly owned shipping line of Hyundai Motor Group and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

“As the first vessel in our new Shaper Class series, Arctic Tern reflects our commitment to investing in the future of shipping,” said Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, who also serves as CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers.

With greater cargo transport capacity, improved fuel efficiency and flexibility, the Shaper Class strengthens the company’s ability to meet evolving customer needs while supporting lower-emission shipping.

Following delivery, Arctic Tern will enter service between Asia and Europe almost immediately, delivering value to customers from day one.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said: “These vessels strengthen our ability to deliver reliable and efficient services to customers while supporting the transition towards lower-emission operations.

“They are also a critical building block in our ambition to offer net-zero end-to-end services as early as 2027. It is a milestone that reflects both our ambitions for the future and our determination to turn those ambitions into action.”

Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Published: 13 July, 2026

Ammonia

Grimaldi Group unveils ammonia-ready PCTC in Türkiye

Named after Türkiye’s largest city and economic capital, the “Grande Istanbul” is one of the 17 latest-generation, ammonia-ready PCTCs commissioned by the Grimaldi Group.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 7, 2026

Admin

Grimaldi Group unveils ammonia-ready PCTC in Türkiye

Grimaldi Group recently presented the Grande Istanbul, one of its latest-generation, ammonia-ready Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTCs), during a ceremony held at Autoport in Kocaeli, Türkiye.

Named after Türkiye’s largest city and economic capital, the Grande Istanbul is one of the 17 latest-generation, ammonia-ready PCTCs commissioned by the Grimaldi Group.

The vessel offers a capacity of up to 9,241 CEUs while reducing CO₂ emissions per unit of cargo by up to 50% compared with previous-generation car carriers.

“The ceremony reaffirmed the Group’s long-term commitment to Türkiye, where it has been operating for almost five decades,” the company said in a social media post.

“Today, around 20 state-of-the-art ro-ro vessels and PCTCs connect Turkish ports with a global network of more than 150 ports in over 60 countries, supporting the country’s automotive industry and international trade.”

The Grande Istanbul is currently deployed on the Grimaldi Group’s EuroMed Service, linking several ports in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, including Autoport, Borusan, Derince, Gemlik, Haydarpaşa and İzmir in Türkiye.

Photo credit: Grimaldi Group
Published: 7 July, 2026