Tokyo Gas Orders World's Largest LNG Tanker

Tokyo Gas reportedly signed a contract with Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corp. for the world's LNG ship. The ship, the eighth LNG tanker of Toko LNG Tanker Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Gas, will be equipped with four spherical tanks with a total capacity of 177,000 cu. m. Improved turbines will make it 15 pct more fuel-efficient than similar tankers, Tokyo Gas said. Tokyo Gas will jointly own the new vessel with Nippon Yusen K.K. with a stake of 10 pct to be held by itself and 90 percent by the major shipping company. Tokyo Gas will have exclusive rights to use the vessel for 20 years. Construction of the tanker will start in fiscal 2009. It will be completed in fiscal 2011.