Japanese LPG importer Eneos Globe has commissioned its first very large gas carrier (VLGC) which uses a dual-fuel LPG engine.
Eneos Globe last week launched the 86,000m³ Globe Frontier, which was constructed by shipbuilder South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries. The new carrier is scheduled to start commercial operations on 27 October. But Eneos Globe declined to disclose further details of the contract including the operator and period of a charter deal.
The VLGC could use LPG as a bunker fuel from a cargo tank, as the LPG fuel tank is connected to a cargo tank. The vessel will also be able to carry liquified ammonia at the same time. This is Eneos' first VLGC that uses LPG as a bunker fuel and can carry liquified ammonia, the firm said.
Japan's LPG use totalled 7.9mn t during January-August, lower by 2.9pc compared with the same period in 2022, according to the Japan LP gas association. Japan's trade and industry ministry (Meti) expects the downward trend will be driven further by technology innovation of high efficiency equipment which can cut users' consumption volumes.
But Japan expects ammonia demand as a fuel to increase to 3mn t/yr by 2030 and to 30mn t/yr by 2050. Japan has set a goal of a 20pc ammonia co-firing at domestic coal-fired power generation plants by 2030 and above 50pc by 2050 to achieve the country's 2050 decarbonisation goal.
