Inpex Shipping, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s Inpex, has concluded a deal with MOL Encean, a subsidiary of Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) fleet with a new vessel in South Korea.
Inpex Shipping has entered into a long-term charter contract with MOL Encean for one newly built liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC), which is currently under construction at the Geoje shipyard at Hanwha Ocean in Geoje, Republic of Korea. This vessel is scheduled for completion in April 2026.
Prior to the completion of the project, the shipyard held a naming ceremony attended by Takayuki Ueda, President and CEO of Inpex, and several distinguished guests involved in the construction of the LNG carrier. The ship has been named Harmonic breeze. After delivery, it will be deployed to transport LNG cargoes from the Japanese energy company’s portfolio.
The vessel is equipped with a membrane cargo containment system featuring thin membrane tanks integrated into the hull structure, with a total cargo tank capacity of approximately 174,000 cubic metres. The fleet addition is expected to enhance the reliability of Inpex’s transportation system serving its LNG portfolio.
This, in turn, will support the expansion of the company’s LNG business, which is one of its three growth pillars, enhancing LNG trading capabilities and enabling more flexible supplies of LNG. The carrier’s main engine is described as a low-speed, high-efficiency dual-fuel diesel engine (ME-GA), which provides superior propulsion efficiency and lower fuel consumption compared to conventional steam turbine-powered LNG carriers.
The ship is also equipped with a system that re-liquefies excess boil-off gas generated during navigation, enabling efficient transportation of LNG cargoes while contributing to a reduced environmental impact.
Inpex is expanding its LNG portfolio, as explained in its report Final extension Signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian company PT Pertamina (Persero) (Pertamina) to cooperate in implementing a liquefied natural gas project in the Arafura Sea.
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