Kumiai Navigation Receives Kawasaki's Dual-Fuel Gas Carrier Aurora Borealis
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The Japanese shipyard Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) delivered to Singapore-based shipowner Kumiai Navigation the gas carrier Aurora Borealis, with a capacity of 86,700 cubic meters, which can carry liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia simultaneously thanks to independent cargo tanks. The vessel runs on LPG fuel and was designed so that its system can be modified in the future to also operate on ammonia as fuel.
Design and Specifications
According to KHI, the Aurora Borealis offers greater cargo capacity than conventional 84,000 m³ LNG carriers, while maintaining main dimensions -such as length overall and beam- similar to those of traditional vessels, allowing it to berth at the world's major LPG terminals. The vessel also features a shaft generator connected to the main engine, which allows the diesel generators to be shut down during normal sailing and the ship to operate almost entirely on LPG, except for a small amount of pilot fuel.
Conversion to Ammonia
Classification society ClassNK approved a conceptual design for a system that would allow the vessel to use ammonia as fuel, which according to KHI paves the way for a future modification of the Aurora Borealis for that purpose.
KHI's Vessel Series
The Aurora Borealis is, according to Hellenic Shipping News, the fourteenth vessel in KHI's series of dual-fuel LPG and ammonia carriers, and the twenty-first LPG-capable vessel built by the shipyard. Portal Portuario, for its part, noted that it is the 21st LPG-powered vessel and the eighty-fourth LNG carrier overall built by Kawasaki.
Other Deliveries and the Global Fleet
KHI completed three other deliveries of LPG-capable vessels this year: in January, the Lucent Pathfinder, chartered by NYK Line to energy company BGN; in April, the Aurora Guardian, a sister ship of the Aurora Borealis also received by Kumiai Navigation; and in August, the Lyla Pathfinder, NYK Line's eighth dual-fuel vessel, also under charter with BGN. According to DNV data cited by Hellenic Shipping News, 183 dual-fuel LPG vessels are currently in operation worldwide, with another 184 units under construction scheduled for delivery through 2030.
