New LNG carrier will transport LNG from US-based Freeport LNG export terminal to Japan
A new 177,269-m3 LNG carrier that will transport chilled cargoes from the Freeport LNG project in Quintana Island, Texas, has been named at Kawasaki Heavy Industries in Japan.
Named Sohshu Maru, the LNG carrier was ordered by Trans Pacific Shipping 8 Ltd, a joint venture of Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines and JERA. In a ceremony at the shipyard, JERA chairman Toshihiro Sano named the vessel and his wife cut the rope, releasing the traditional bottle of champagne.
Sohshu Maru is equipped with a dual-fuel diesel electric propulsion system which operates on heavy fuel oil or boil-off gas. This system achieves heat efficiency, and is a more environment friendly, economically superior design than a steam turbine propulsion system.
The vessel will transport LNG that JERA purchases from the Freeport LNG export facility in the US and other global LNG suppliers.
In May, the US Department of Energy gave Freeport LNG the green light to export LNG volumes from its Train 4 to non-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) countries.
When it comes on line in 2023, Freeport LNG’s Train 4 is expected to add over 5 mta of LNG production to its existing project, increasing export capability of the four-train facility to over 20 mta. Approximately 13.5 mta of this capacity has been contracted under 20-year tolling agreements to Osaka Gas Trading & Export, JERA Energy America, BP Energy Company, Toshiba America LNG Corporation, and SK E&S LNG, and approximately 0.5 mta has been contracted to Trafigura under a three-year sale and purchase agreement commencing in 2020.
SOHSHU MARU AT A GLANCE
Owner: Trans Pacific Shipping 8 Ltd
Shipbuilder: Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Overall length: 299.90 m
Breadth: 48.90 m
Draught: 11.80 m
LNG tank type: Moss independent stretched spherical
Gross tonnage: 135,951 tonnes
Tank capacity: 177,269 m3
Main engine: DFDE
Speed: 19.5 knots
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