The Akebono Maru LNG Tanker Ship

Of all the LNG carriers operating currently, the Akebono Maru is a class of its own. The vessel which began its operations in the year 2011 is a Japanese innovation built specifically to cater to the internal Japanese LNG demand and supply requirements.

The LNG tanker ship is owned by the Chuo Kaiun Corporation while being operationally engaged by the Shinwa Chemical Tanker Company.

The construction of the tanker ship was built as per specifications of the Shinwa Company with several noteworthy additions included by the engineering team of the Kawasaki shipbuilding corporation.

The Akebono Maru LNG tanker ship has a capacitance to carry at least 1,000 cubic meters more (over 3,500 cubic meters  LNG cargo as compared to the other existing fleet of LNG ships operating internally within Japan. This high capacitance has also substantially added to the remarkableness of the ship.

Complementing its relatively larger cargo carrying capabilities, there are a few other technical features that the Akebono Maru boasts about. The same can be highlights as under:

• Two refrigerated cargo hatches to provide continued coolant facilities for the LNG cargo with appropriate pressurized insulation so as to absorb any impacts and disturbances that might hamper the safety of the cargo being carried.

• A GRT of over 2,500 tonnes with a DWT of over 4,500 tonnes

• Dimensions of almost 100 metres lengthwise with a breadth of over 17 metres, a draft of over 4.5 metres and a depth of almost eight metres

• Powered by diesel engine systems, the vessel can attain operational speeds up to 13 knots

• Duality of operational efficiency with an inter-cargo transferring being made possible between the vessel and other LNG ships

Unlike other LNG tanker vessels where the cargo hatches are located nearer to the vessel’s hull, the Akebono Maru’s cargo hatches are built separately and are positioned laterally instead of vertically. This is yet another constructional uniqueness of the Japanese shipbuilding giant, which provides the vessel with higher degrees of sustainability while under operation.

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