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Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) has received delivery of its first LNG-fuelled tugboat, Sakigake.

The vessel has been chartered to Wing Maritime Service Corporation, and is scheduled to operate mainly at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki.

The tugboat is the second environment-friendly tugboat operated by Wing Maritime Service Corporation, following the delivery of Tsubasa in March 2013.

The new tug is equipped with dual-fuel engines that can use either LNG or marine diesel oil (MDO). Compared with conventional tugboats that use MDO, Sakigake is said to emit around 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 80 percent less nitrogen oxide, and no sulphur oxide when using LNG as fuel.

In a statement, NYK Line said: "The small size of most tugboats, the limited amount of space, and the large variation in engine power make it difficult to create an LNG-fuelled tugboat. Keihin Dock Co. Ltd. was able to achieve an excellent level of environmental performance while maintaining the same hull form and steering performance of existing tugboats."

Keihin Dock worked in cooperation with Niigata Power Systems Co. Ltd. to design and manufacture the dual-fuel engine, and Air Water Plant & Engineering Inc. to develop equipment for supplying LNG.

LNG for the new vessel is to be supplied from a tanker truck at a pier in Yokohama.

"Much effort has been made together with the supplier, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., to ensure that the LNG can be safely and efficiently supplied in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. In fact, in July 2015 a trial fuelling of the vessel from a tanker truck was successfully carried out for the first time in Japan," NYK Line said.

The project receives subsidies from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which support projects promising energy-saving logistics and innovative maritime transport improvements. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai also provided joint research support.

NYK Group has already constructed the world's first LNG-fuelled car carrier, and the group also plans to participate in the LNG bunkering business in accordance with its medium-term management plan, 'More Than Shipping 2018'.

"NYK will contribute to the continued spread and development of LNG fuel for ships, applying the knowledge and know-how the company has gained through the expansion of its eco-friendly operations," NYK Line added.

Sakigake vessel summary

Length overall: 37.20 meters
Breadth: 10.20 meters
Molded depth: 4.40 meters
Gross tonnage: 272 tons
Main engine: NIIGATA 6L28AHX-DF x 2
Shipowner: NYK
Flag: Japan
Class: Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
Other: Patents are pending for the LNG receiving system and LNG carburetion system used on board.