MOL-JERA LNG Carrier Named Sohshu Maru

Japanese ocean transport company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) named the newbuilding LNG carrier Sohshu Maru ordered by Trans Pacific Shipping 8, a joint venture between MOL and JERA Co., Inc., the world's biggest LNG buyer.

The naming ceremony was held at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kobe city, Hyogo.

Among those on hand for the event were JERA Chairman Toshihiro Sano, who named the vessel the Sohshu Maru, after which his wife, Mrs. Eiko Sano cut the rope.

Sohshu Maru is equipped with DFDE (Dual Fuel Diesel Electric) propulsion system(Note2). This system achieves heat efficiency, and is a more environment-friendly, economically superior design than normal Steam Turbine propulsion system.

DFDE system can use both heavy fuel oil and natural gas, which has different component as an energy resource. This system is environmentally-friendly because vessel can use natural boil off gas efficiently.

The Sohshu Maru has a length of 299.9 meters, the width of 48.9 meters, and a draft of 11.5 meters.

The vessel will transport LNG that JERA purchases from the Freeport LNG Project in the United States and other suppliers.

"The MOL Group draws upon its decades of experience and know-how as the world's leading LNG carrier owner and management company, and works aggressively to provide safe, high-quality LNG transport services for customers," said a statement from the company.