Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) is pleased to announce the execution of seven long-
term Time Charter contracts through joint venture companies (Note 1) with QatarEnergy (Note 2).
The joint venture companies have concurrently executed Shipbuilding contracts for 174,000m3
LNG carriers with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
QatarEnergy is one of the world’s largest LNG producers and will allocate the newbuilding
vessels to transport LNG around the world.
The newbuilding vessels will be equipped with X-DF 2.1 iCER (Note 3) and Air Lubrication
System (Note 4) which will contribute to reduction of GHG emissions and realize the ease of
environmental impact by lower fuel consumption in operation.
Since the delivery of “Bishu Maru” in 1983 as the first Japanese LNG carrier, “K” Line has
been establishing expertise on LNG transportation and developing its worldwide network for
nearly 40 years.
“K” LINE and QatarEnergy have had long-term relationship through several existing projects.
The new contracts have been executed as a successful result of supervision of vessel’s
construction with abundant experience, the high-quality ship management, and the highest
level of safe and commercially optimized operation.
In our Medium-Term Management Plan published in May 2022(Note 5), “K” LINE has placed
LNG business as one of the top priority areas in the future investment. “K” LINE will further
expand long-term contracts and accommodate growing energy demands by responding to
various customers’ needs.
(Note 1) It is sponsored by “K” LINE together with Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, China LNG
Shipping (Holdings) Limited., and MISC Berhad through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Portovenere and Lerici (Labuan) Pte Ltd.
(Note 2) QatarEnergy is a state energy company of Qatar.
(Note 3) X-DF 2.1 iCER is a low speed dual-fuel engine with gas at low pressure.
(Note 4) Air Lubrication System is technology to curb the resistance between the ship's hull and
seawater by generating air bubbles on the ship’s bottom.
(Note 5) Medium-Term Management Plan (Released on May 9, 2022)
