Fri 16 Jan 2026, 06:20 GMT | Updated: Fri 16 Jan 2026, 06:25 GMT | Evangelia Fragouli

Imabari Shipbuilding delivers 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier


Japanese shipbuilder hands over vessel claiming 25-30% CO₂ reduction versus conventional heavy oil-fuelled ships.


Undine Highway vessel.
Imabari Shipbuilding's latest LNG-fuelled car carrier promises significant emissions reductions through dual-fuel technology and exhaust gas recirculation systems. Pictured: Undine Highway, a 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier. Image credit: Imabari Shipbuilding

Imabari Shipbuilding has completed delivery of Undine Highway, a 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier constructed at the company’s Marugame Business Headquarters in Japan.

The vessel was handed over on 14 January, the shipbuilder said.

According to Imabari Shipbuilding, the car carrier is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system enabling operation on LNG, delivering a reported 25–30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with conventionally fuelled heavy fuel oil vessels.

The ship is also fitted with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, which the yard said reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 80–90%, while sulphur oxide emissions are almost entirely eliminated when operating on LNG.

The design incorporates a boil-off gas (BOG) handling arrangement that allows gas generated from the LNG fuel tanks to be used in onboard generators and boilers, reducing the need for fuel disposal or venting.

Cargo operations are supported by a bulkheadless internal layout combined with wider, straighter ramps intended to simplify vehicle movements and improve loading efficiency. A liftable deck system enables deck heights to be adjusted, allowing the vessel to carry both passenger cars and higher vehicles such as trucks and trailers.

The Undine Highway has an overall length of 199.93 metres, a beam of 38.0 metres, and a depth of 38.76 metres. It has a deadweight of 18,652 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 77,650.

Propulsion is provided by a 6S60ME-C10.5-GI main engine, giving a service speed of approximately 18.25 knots. The vessel is classed by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and is registered under the Panamanian flag.



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