In July, four Japanese companies partnered up to order a 3,500-cbm LNG bunker vessel (LNGBV) at domestic shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
The LNGBV, which is due for delivery in 2020, looks set to be the first purpose-built unit for Japan.
The partners behind the pioneering vessel are shipowners NYK Line and K Line, utility Chubu Electric Power Co — which will merge with trader JERA in April next year — and trading house Toyota Tsusho Corp, which is a subsidiary of Toyota Motors.
