NYK takes delivery of Japan’s first LNG-fueled tugboat

The Japanese liner company took delivery of Japan’s first LNG-fueled tugboat Aug. 31, which will primarily operate at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki.    NYK announced it took delivery of the Sakigake, Japan’s first LNG-fueled tugboat, Aug. 31 from Keihin Dock Co. Ltd.’s Oppama Factory and chartered it to the NYK wholly owned subsidiary, Wing Maritime Service Corporation.
   The new tugboat will primarily operate at Yokohama and Kawasaki.
   The Sakigake, which features dual fuel engines that can use either LNG or diesel oil, emits approximately 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 80 percent less nitrogen oxide and no sulfur oxide when using LNG fuel compared with conventional tugboats.
   The project received subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. In addition, the ship classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai provided joint research support.