Mitsui E&S Machinery, Ltd. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has been contracted to supply the cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for six newbuild medium-sized gas carrier (MGC) vessels, which again strengthens the company's market-pioneering position in this sector. The new vessels are built at the Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui (YAMIC) Shipbuilding yard in China for a Japanese shipowner. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024. Wärtsilä’s cargo handling The ships will transport and operate with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The Wärtsilä solutions are designed to ensure the ships’ safe and efficient operation with LPG cargo and fuel. “We have worked closely with the YAMIC yard earlier, and we are pleased to continue this good relationship. This order is an important endorsement of the strong position that Wärtsilä’s cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems have established with this category of vessels,” commented Barry Yang, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China. The YAMIC yard is a joint venture between Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in April 2025.

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a design concept of the hydrogen-fueled engine compatible 5,000KL oil tanker with an electric propulsion system developed by UYENO TRANSTECH LTD., YANMAR POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. This is the world’s first AiP certification for the design of an oil tanker using liquefied hydrogen as a fuel. The ship was designed as part of the ‘Development of Large-scale Hydrogen-fueled Domestic Tanker and Demonstration of Zero-Emission Ships’ project by the Nippon Foundation. Further consideration of the project ClassNK carried out a review of a design concept of the ship based on its rules including part GF of its ‘Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships’ incorporating the IGF Code, Part D of ‘Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels; Guidelines for Ships Using Hydrogen as Fuel (Edition 3.0.0)’, and ‘Guidelines for Fuel Cell Power Systems On Board Ships (Second Edition).’ Upon confirming they comply with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP. This is the first AiP issued through the review based on Part D of ‘Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels’, released in May 2024. ClassNK will contribute to the further consideration of the project from the perspective of safety evaluation and will strive to support the decarbonisation of shipping.

ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) for a methanol fuel supply system developed by Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Methanol is considered one of the promising alternative fuels for decarbonisation, and a significant reduction in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis is expected by using green methanol, such as sustainable biomass-derived bio methanol and e-methanol synthesised from CO2 and renewable energy-derived hydrogen. Safe use of methanol On the other hand, methanol poses risks in case of leakage due to its characteristics such as toxicity to humans and ease of ignition, necessitating appropriate safety measures. IMO has worked on establishing safety requirements for the use of methanol as a fuel, and 'Interim Guideline for the Safety of Ships Using Methyl/Ethyl Alcohol as Fuel, IMO Res. MSC.1/Circ.1621' was released in 2020. Decarbonisation initiatives ClassNK has reviewed the conceptual design of the system developed by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding based on part A of its 'Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels' incorporating contents of the IMO Interim Guidelines. Upon confirming they comply with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP. ClassNK will continue to contribute to advanced decarbonisation initiatives, including safety assessments.