據世界天然氣網8月9日消息 日本液化石油氣貿易商和進口商Astomos能源公司宣布，將于本月晚些時候啟用液化石油氣（LPG）動力的超大型燃氣船（VLGC）。

　　該船由同胞造船廠川崎重工（KHI）在其Sakaide造船廠建造。新加坡船東Kumiai Navigation將為Astomos運營84229立方米的VLGC。

　　該船長299米，寬37.2米，將配備KHI的雙燃料液化石油氣發動機，可使用加壓液化石油氣和燃油。

　　該公司指出，與燃油相比，液化石油氣作為燃料預計將減少約20%的二氧化碳排放量，以及約90%的硫氧化物和顆粒物。

　　為了響應國際海事組織2050年零排放目標，Astomos幾年來一直在考慮將液化石油氣燃料油輪引入其VLGC船隊。

　　該公司指出：“我們將繼續從重油船舶轉向液化石油氣燃料船舶，作為可能的解決方案之一，并促進其他環保船隊的發展。”

　　最近，該公司簽署了一項協議，從石油巨頭殼牌公司購買碳中和液化石油氣。

　　吳恒磊 編譯自 世界天然氣

　　原文如下：

　　Japan’s first LPG-fuelled VLGC soon to enter service

　　Japanese LPG trader and importer Astomos Energy Corporation has announced that it will bring the liquified petroleum gas (LPG)-powered very large gas carrier (VLGC) into operation later this month.

　　The vessel is being built by compatriot shipbuilder Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) at its Sakaide shipyard. Singapore-based shipowner Kumiai Navigation will operate the 84,229 cbm VLGC for Astomos.

　　The ship is 299 meters long, 37.2 meters wide and will be equipped with KHI’s dual-fuel LPG engine which can run on both pressurized LPG and fuel oil.

　　LPG as a fuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by about 20%, and sulfur oxides, particulate matter by about 90% in comparison with fuel oil, the company noted.

　　Astomos has been considering introducing LPG-fueled tankers into its VLGC fleet for a few years, in response to the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 zero-emission targets.

　　“We will continue to switch from heavy oil vessels to LPG-fuelled vessels as one of the possible solutions and promote other environmentally friendly fleet development,” the company pointed out.

　　Recently, the company signed an agreement to purchase carbon-neutral LPG from oil major Shell.