New LNG Carrier for CNOOC Group Named “GREENERGY RIVER”
On August 4, HUAJING LNG TRANSPORT PTE. LTD. (HLT) held an official naming ceremony for its latest liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the “GREENERGY RIVER.” This event took place at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. in China, where the vessel is currently under construction. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including NYK Senior Managing Executive Officer Hironobu Watanabe, along with other essential stakeholders.
HLT is a joint venture that includes prominent partners such as NYK, CNOOC Gas and Power Singapore Trading & Marketing Pte. Ltd. (CNOOC SG), CETS Investment Management (HK) Co., Ltd. (CETS), and CMES LNG Project 4 Company Limited, a subsidiary of China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (CMES). The naming of “GREENERGY RIVER” reflects a commitment to combining ecological responsibility with energy needs.
Key Features and Operational Plans of GREENERGY RIVER
The GREENERGY RIVER is the first in a series of six LNG carriers that HLT plans to deploy for CNOOC SG. This vessel marks a significant milestone as it is the first China-built LNG carrier to be used under a long-term charter with a Chinese customer. Starting in August, GREENERGY RIVER will primarily transport LNG sourced by the CNOOC Group from global suppliers to China.
Managed by OPearl LNG Ship Management Company Limited, a collaborative venture between NYK, CMES, and CETS, the GREENERGY RIVER is designed with advanced technology. It features a highly efficient dual-fuel engine capable of using both fuel oil and boil-off gas (LNG vaporized during transit). This innovative system enhances navigation efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes the vessel’s environmental footprint.
The vessel specifications highlight its capabilities. It has a cargo capacity of approximately 174,000 cubic meters, a length of about 299 meters, and a beam of 46.4 meters. The main engine is an X-DF 2.1 iCER, a dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine, further showcasing the vessel’s modern engineering.
Strategic Importance in NYK’s Energy Business
The launch of GREENERGY RIVER aligns with NYK Group’s medium-term management plan titled “Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026.” This strategy focuses on enhancing core business sectors and investing in new growth opportunities. In particular, the Energy Business Division is directing its efforts toward LNG and LPG carrier activities, which NYK identifies as a crucial growth area.
As one of the world’s largest owners and managers of LNG carriers, NYK aims to contribute to a stable energy supply by leveraging its extensive knowledge, experience, and networks within the industry. The introduction of GREENERGY RIVER is a testament to NYK’s commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions while fulfilling the growing demands of the global market.
