No. 298 Apr. - May 2003

Natural gas hydrate (NGH) carrier imaged
for next-generation energy
Natural Gas Hydrate Carrier
L: 300.0m
B: 46.0m
Capacity:
Speed:

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (MES) has
paid great attention from the early stages to the usefulness of natural gas hydrate (NGH), and has now tackled
the establishment of the NGH industrialization chain including production, transportation, storage and re-gasification, because of the increasing demand for environmentfriendly clean energy emitting less CO2 and the continuing process of global warming.
MES is now developing an NGH carrier, which will constitute the most important part of the NGH transport
chain, jointly with National Maritime Research Instituteand Osaka University with the support of the Corporation for Advanced Transport & Technology.
The development includes the three following technologies. NGH is pelletized for transport which increases theBurning NGH pellet andpellet produced by the
prototype plant (above)

D: 24.5m
d: 13.5m
abt. 155,000.0m3abt. 17.0kt

NGH production test plant (below)

self-preservation effect and decreases boil-off gas (BOG),
eventually enhancing the contained gas in the cargo andgreatly improves the cargo handling efficiency.
Study of the loading and unloading of NGH pellets toand from the carrier envisages the use of a mechanicalconveyor system. Loading of the NGH pellet to the cargohold is made by a horizontal conveyor, and unloading fromthe cargo hold is made by a vertical conveyor onto a horizontal conveyor on the deck for the shore transport.
(Continued on page 2)

For further information please contact:

JAPAN SHIP EXPORTERS' ASSOCIATION
15-16, Toranomon 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001 Tel: (03) 3508-9661 Fax: (03) 3508-2058 E-Mail: postmaster@jsea.or.jp

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No. 298 Apr. - May Page 2

Universal delivers 200,000DWT type bulk carrier
the capacity of the cargo volume ismore than 200,000DWT.
Economic efficiency is one of thefocuses of the design development of
the ship. In order to achieve economic
efficiency, the ship has a large cargohold capacity (=approx. 217,700m3)
and DWT (=approx. 202,500t) at
scantling draft of 17.88m.
Another feature of the ship is theshallow design draft (=16.10m) ensur-ing access to the ports in the Seto Inland Sea with large deadweight(=178,000t), where many steel mills
are located.
Furthermore, the bulk carrier isequipped with Ax-Bow, the technology developed by Universal (ex-NKK)
in 1996, which won The Ship of theYear 2001 Award for the Dunkirk
Max. Ax-Bow allows 20 to 30% reduction in the sea margin compared withthe conventional bow design as introduced in Sea Japan No. 293.
Principal Particulars:
L (o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D: 299.95m x
290.00m x 50.00m x 24.10m
Draft (Design): 16.10m
Draft (Scant.): 17.88m
Deadweight (Design): 178,963ton
Deadweight (Scant.): 203,508ton
Gross Tonnage: 101,953ton
Service Speed: 14.5knots
Main Engine: MES MAN B&W
6S70MC Mark VI
Output: 16,020kW x 91min-1
Classification: NK

Hakodate Dock completes bulk carrier
Azurite Ocean

may be empty) such as nickel ore.
Principal particulars
L (o.a.) x L (p.p.) x B x D x d (ext.):
176.85m x 168.00m x 29.40m x
13.50m x 9.562m.
DWT/GT: 32,178t/19,762t
Main engine: Mitsubishi 6UEC52LA
diesel engine
Output: 6,620 kW (9,000 PS) x130rpm
Complement: 24
Classification: NK

Universal Shipbuilding Corporation has delivered the first
200,000DWT type bulk carrier(Newcastle Maxim), Shin Kenryu(HN: 218), to its owner Erica Navigation S. A. of Panama at the Tsu Shipyard.
The ship was designed to be accommodated in the main loading and unloading ports in the world, as one oflargest vessels of this type, although

The Hakodate Dock Co., Ltd. delivered the 14th ship of a 32,000 dwt
bulk carrier series, Azurite Ocean(HN: 790), to Star Bulk Carrier Co.,
S.A. (Panama) in November, 2002 andthe ship was put in service for carrying the main cargo of nickel ore.
The ship was specially designedwith an especially shallow draft incomparison with other ships, but retaining a similar cargo loading capacity. Based on this design, the ship cancall at more ports and increase opportunities for profitable ship operation.

(Continued from page 1)
NGH pellet is not presently recognized as a ship cargo, and is waiting
for international standardization. As
shown in the conceptional image, anindependent tank system is envisaged
for the NGH carrier.

The five cargo holds consist of Nos.
1 & 5 holds with topside and lower
hopper tanks and Nos. 2, 3 & 4 holdswith double hull construction including double bottom and topside tanks,
which makes cargo handling easier.
Furthermore, the ship is strengthened
for heavy cargoes (Nos. 2 & 4 holds

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No. 298 Apr. - May Page 3

IHIMU delivers Panamax container carrier
IHI Marine United Inc. delivered
the MOL Encore (HN: 3163), a4,500TEU Panamax container carrier, to Lunar River Line S.A. of
Panama on March 25, 2003.
The MOL Encore is the first of aseries of four 4,500 TEU Panamax
container carriers chartered by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and the ships
are scheduled to enter the Asia- NorthAmerica route.
This series of 4,500TEU Panamax
container carriers has been newly designed adopting an environmental
friendly technology developed together with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Conventional container carriers
store their fuel mainly in the double
bottom tanks formed between theouter hull plate and tank top plate in
the cargo holds,
but this series ofships applies environmentallyfriendly technology with the newarrangement offuel oil tanks located in spaces
between theSanoyas delivers two Handymax bulkers—Nissos Kypros and Nissos Hios—Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corp. hascompleted two 55,000DWT
Handymax bulk carriers, Nissos
Kypros and Nissos Hios, delivered toTramontana Shipping Company Ltd.
and Pounentes Shipping CompanyLtd., respectively. The vessels employ
a newly developed hull form for thelargest capacity as a Handymax bulkcarrier.
The hull has the maximum beamof 32.26m allowed for the passage ofthe Panama Canal. Cargo capacity inboth dwt and volume is larger thanthe conventional Handymax, and propulsion efficiency and fuel consumption are improved as well.
Five cargo holds are arranged in
the centerline, and the bridge, engine
room, and accommodation quarters
are located aft. The cargo holds are
the topside tank and hopper bottom
type for efficiently loading bulk car-Correction
In the last issue of SEA-Japan, No.297, the ship name on
page 3, Coral Islander, should
read Coral Islander II. We aresorry for this error.

goes such as coal, iron ore, and grain.
All hatches measure over 20m in
length for loading lengthy cargoes likesteel pipes. CO2 fire extinguishing systems and mechanical ventilators areprovided to cope with dangerous cargoes. The reinforced double bottom
permits loading of heavy cargoes suchas hot coils and other steel products.
Cargo handling equipment consistsof four 35t deck cranes and four grab
buckets for efficient cargo handling.
Hatch covers are the end-folding typedriven by the electro-hydraulic system. The main engine uses a slowspeed, super-long stroke, and 2-cycle
diesel engine suitable for turning alarge diameter propeller. The Sanoyas Tandem Fin (STF) is adopted forthe stern to improve propulsion. The
combination reduces fuel consumption. Thevessels have acquired the LRS
UMS notation
for unmannedengine operation.
Principal particulars of Nissos

bulkheads of cargo holds in order tosignificantly reduce risks of oil spillsin emergencies such as collision andgrounding.
Applying this new fuel oil tank arrangement, 60% of the total fuel capacity of the ship, approx 4,200t fuel,enough for a 10,000-mile voyage, isshifted from the double bottom tanks
to the spaces between bulkheads.
Principal Particulars
L (o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d (extreme/summer): 294.130m x 282.00m x32.26m x 19.03m x 13.54m
DWT/GT: 61,441t/53,096t
Speed, service: 24.5kt
Main engine: DU-Sulzer 9RTA96C
diesel x 1 unit
MCR: 49,410kW at 100.0rpm
NOR: 42,000kW at 94.7rpm
Classification: NKKypros
Hull No.: 1203
L (o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d: 189.90m
x 183.00m x 32.26m x 17.20m x12.235m
DWT/GT: 55,222mt/31,169
Cargo capacity: 69,428m3 (grain)
Classification: LRS
Complement: 25
Speed, service: abt. 14.7kt
Main engine: MAN B&W 6S50MC-C
diesel x 1 unit
MCR: 12,870ps
Completion: Feb. 28, 2003

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No. 298 Apr. - May Page 4

Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
Co., Ltd. (MES) has completed the56,000DWT type bulk carrierNordhval (HN: 1565) at its Tamano
Works for D/S Norden A/S of Denmark. The vessel is the first of a series of newly developed 56,000DWT
type handymax bulkers, following

MES completes bulkcarrier Nordhval
for D/S Norden A/S
50,000DWT series.
This new series has a cargo capacity of about 70,800m3 and56,000DWT, bothlarger than theprevious series.
The vessel is powered by a MitsuiMAN B&W
6S50MCC type
diesel engine
which has lighter
weight, smaller
size and larger

output compared with the previoustype.
The vessel has five cargo holds andfour deck cranes with loading capacity of 30 tons each, and the wide hatch
openings facilitate cargo handling.
Grab buckets are stored at the crossdecks, so that lumber can be loadedon the upper deck.
Principal Particulars
L (o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d: 189.99m
x 182.00m x 32.26m x 17.90m x12.55m
DWT/GT: 56,060t/31,260t
Main engine: Mitsui-MAN B&W
6S50MCC diesel x 1 unit
MCR: 9,480KW x 127.0rpm
Speed, service: 14.5kt
Classification: LR

Toyohashi completes
52,587DWT bulker
Doric Samurai

Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
has completed the52,587DWT bulkcarrier, Doric Samurai (HN: 3546), for
Katuura Naviera S.A.
The vessel is a handy size bulk carrier designed to carry grain, coal, oreand steel products, and IMDG cargoes(excluding Class 5.1/Seedcake containing solvent extractions, ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitratefertilizers).
The carrier has
five cargo holds,
each consisting oftopside tanks and a double bottom
with a hopper. The Nos. 1, 3, and 5
holds can load cargoes, leaving theNos. 2 and 4 holds empty. The No. 3
hold can be allotted as a water ballast
tank. The ballast of the topside tanks
can be discharged outboard, or into the
double bottom ballast tanks.

Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in Japan
Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering in Japan 2003 has been published by the Japan Ship Exporters’

Association (JSEA) with financial support from The Nippon Foundation(Chairman: Ms. A. Sono).
The publication (210mm wide x
285mm tall, four color and 64 pages)
outlines the latest shipbuilding
achievements, both ships and advanced technologies. The details ofships and shipbuilding technology arecompiled in a CD-ROM for readers’convenience.
Major contents include newcompletions, new shipbuilding technology, navigation systems, energysaving equipment and systems, mainengines, software for shipbuilding rationalization, and building and repair
facilities, emphasizing technical features and R&D activities, which havebeen developed in the last two years.

Hatch covers employ the hydraulic folding type, and four electro-hydraulic motor type deck cranes with ahoisting capacity of 30.5t are installedon the upper deck. Grab buckets arealso provided.
The main engine is a low-speed andlong-stroke Mitsui MAN-B&W
6S50MC (Mk VI) diesel featuring low
fuel consumption.
Principal particulars
L (o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d: 189.99m
x 182.00m x 32.26m x 17.00m x
12.00 mDWT/GT: 52,587t/29,862t
Main engine: Mitsui MAN-B&W
6S50MC (Mark VI)
MCR: 7,796 kW x 116 min-1 (rpm)NOR: 6,627 kW x 110 min-1 (rpm)Speed, service: 14.5kt
Complement: 25
Classification: NK
Loading capacity: 68,258m3 (grain),65,616m3 (bales)No. 298 Apr. - May Page 5

Industry News in Brief

SHI launches new company in shipbuilding operations
Sumitomo
Heavy Industries, Ltd. (SHI)
officially announced theopening on April
1, 2003 of the
new consolidated
subsidiary,
President
Sumitomo
S. Nishimura
Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering Co., Ltd.
The new company is a wholly
owned subsidiary of SHI. SHI’s entire
shipbuilding and repair businesseshave been transferred to this new company, apart from sales and marketing operations, which will continue tobe managed by SHI.
Objectives for establishing the newcompany:
In the shipbuilding industry, Korea and China are expected to continue expanding their supply capabilities, intensifying price competition inthis area. By spinning off SHI’s shipbuilding and repair businesses, thenew company aims to improve its

To our readers• Please notify us of any change
in address by letter or telefax
together with the old mailinglabel to ensure you continue
to receive SEA-Japan.
• We welcome your comments
about SEA-Japan. Please address all correspondence tothe Japan Ship Exporters' Association (JSEA), or the Japan
Ship Centre in London.
• Address (Tokyo): 15-16,
Toranomon 1-chome,
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001/ Tel: (03) 3508-9661 Fax:
(03) 3508-2058
E-mail:postmaster@jsea.or.jp• Address (London): Ground
Floor, 9 Marshalsea Road,London SE1 1EP, UK / Tel:
+44 (0) 20 7403 1666 / Fax:
+44 (0) 20 7403 1777
E-mail: info@jsc.org.uk
URL: http://www.jsc.org.uk

technology to satisfy high-need customers’ requirements and to realize
flexible, speedy management.
The company will also seek to revitalize the operations by adopting a
new personnel and wage system to fit
its business model. Plans to boost engineering capabilities at the new company and develop ships’ designs thatwill differentiate the company fromthe competition will also assist in
strengthening its position in the industries.
Profile of the new company:
Company Name: Sumitomo Heavy

Industries Marine & Engineering
Co., Ltd.
Description of business: R&D, sales,
design, manufacturing, conversion,
demolition and repairing of ships
and offshore structures, plus marine engineering operations.
Establishment: April 1, 2003
President: Shinji Nishimura
Location
Head office: 5-9-11, Kita-Shinagawa,Shinagawa-ku Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5488-8204
Fax: +81-3-5488-8178
Shipyard: Yokosuka Shipyard
19, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka
City, Kanagawa Pref., Japan

JSEA participates in NOR-SHIPPING 2003
The 19th NOR-SHIPPING 2003
(The International Shipping andMaritime Exhibition & Conference)
will take place at the Lillestrom Exhibition and Congress Centre inLillestrom four days from June 3through 6. This event is organised bythe Norges Varemesse (Norway TradeFairs) and sponsored by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and organizations related to the maritimeindustry.
The Japan Ship Exporters’ Association consisting of 10 Japanese shipbuilders will participate in the exhibition with the financial support ofThe Nippon Foundation and in cooperation with The Shipbuilders’ Association of Japan. JSEA and The Cooperative Association of Japan Ship-builders, co-exhibitor, will use a 210m2
exhibition area where Japanese shipbuilding technology will be presented.
Particular ship hull forms and newly
developed ship designs will be introduced with the plasma vision systemand other displays.
Shipbuilders:
IHI Marine United Inc.
Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
Co., Ltd.
Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd
Universal Shipbuilding Corporation

No. 298 Apr. - May Page 6

Shipyard Activities

NYK Artemis
Owner: Great River Line S.A.
Builder: IHI Marine United Inc.
Hull No.: 3156
Ship Type: Container carrier
L (o.a.) x B x D x d: 299.90m x
40.00m x 23.90m x 14.00m
DWT/GT: 81,171t/75,484t
Main Engine: DU SULZER
12RTA96C diesel x 1 unit

29.40m x 13.50m x 9.56m
DWT/GT: 31,829t/19,795t
Main engine: Mitsubishi
6UEC52LA diesel x 1 unit
Speed: 14.0 kt
Classification: NK
Completion: Feb. 20, 2003
DWT/GT: abt.48,500t/46,021t
Cargo hold capacity: 78,000m3
Main engine: 7UEC60LS diesel x 1 unit
Speed, service: abt.16.7kt
Classification: NK
Completion: Feb. 28, 2003

MadoOcean Celebrity

Cape Enterprise

Owner: Green Spanker Shipping
S. A.
Builder: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Hull No.: 1553
Ship Type: Bulk carrierL(o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d:
289.00m x 279.00m x 45.00m x
24.40m x 17.95m
DWT/GT: 177,638t/88,494t

Owner: Ocean Shipholding S. A.
Builder: Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation
Hull No.: 1516
Ship Type: Bulk carrierL(o.a.) x L (b.p) x B x D x d: 290.00mx 280.00m x 47.00m x 24.40m x
17.95mDWT/GT: 185,909t/92,993t
Main Engine: Kawasaki-MAN
B&W 6S70MC MkVI diesel x 1 unit
Classification: NK
Completion: Mar. 6, 2003

Main Engine: Mitsui-MAN B&W
6S70MC diesel x 1 unit
Speed, service: 15.0kt
Classification: NK
Completion: Jan. 17, 2003

Container carrying capacity:
6,492TEUs
Speed, service: 25.0kt
Classification: NK
Completion: Feb 9, 2003

Owner: Clean Gas Shipping andTrading Co. S. A.
Builder: Namura Shipbuilding Co.,Ltd.
Hull No.: 231
Ship Type: LPG carrierL(o.a.) x L (b.p.) x B x D x d:
156.03m x 148.00m x 25.00m x
16.50m x 9.770m
DWT/GT: 19,621t/16,770t
Main Engine: B&W 6S50MC (MkVI) diesel x 1 unit
Speed, trial max.: 19.15kt
Cargo capacity: 22,779.624m3
Classification: BV
Completion: Jan 22, 2003

Belpareil

ParatOwner: Crusade Shipping Ltd.
Builder: The Hakodate Dock Co.,Ltd.
Hull No.: 786
Ship type: Bulk carrier
L (p.p.) x B x D x d: 168.00m x

Lycaste Peace
Owner: Quailwood Enterprises Inc.
Builder: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Hull No.: 2178
Ship type: LPG Carrier
L (o.a.) x B x D x d: abt.230.0 m x
36.6 m x 20.8 m x 10.6 m

Owner: YSH Shipping Co., Ltd..
Builder: Oshima Shipbuilding Co.,Ltd.
Hull No.: 10323
Ship type: Bulk carrier
L (o.a.) x B x D x d:188.5m x 32.26m
x 17.15m x 12.14m
DWT/GT: 52,960t/29,410t
Main engine: KAWASAKI B&W
6S50MC-C x 1 unit
Speed, trial max.: 14.5kt
Classification: NK
Completion: 17 Jan., 2003

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