NYK has signed construction and long-term charter contracts for its first methanol-powered very large crude carrier (VLCC), marking a significant step in its decarbonization strategy. The 310,000 deadweight ton (dwt) vessel will be built by Nihon Shipyard and delivered in 2028 for deployment under charter to Idemitsu Tanker. The 339.5-meter-long VLCC will feature a dual-fuel main engine capable of running on both methanol and conventional heavy fuel oil, as well as a large shaft generator to improve energy efficiency. The vessel will be based on a Malacca Max next-generation environmentally friendly design, which NYK developed in collaboration with Idemitsu Tanker, IINO Kaiun Kaisha, and Nippon Shipyard as part of a joint R&D initiative launched in January 2024. This project represents Japan’s first methanol-capable Malacca Max-type VLCC and is expected to achieve up to a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional vessels.
