K Line expands European shipping fleet with four LNG car carriers

Japanese shipping company K Line has ordered four LNG-powered car carriers to expand its presence in the European shipping market, Maritime Executive reports.

While many leading car carrier operators continue to invest in larger deep-sea vessels, K Line is focusing on a different segment. The new ships, each with capacity for 1,380 vehicles, are designed for frequent regional services and can operate in ports where size restrictions limit access for larger carriers.

The ships will be built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing. Measuring 130 meters in length, they are intended for operations in Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea. Each vessel will carry a 1A Ice Class notation and feature a heavy-duty stern ramp capable of handling cargo weighing up to 60 tonnes, allowing greater flexibility for transporting oversized freight alongside passenger vehicles.

K Line is also placing sustainability at the center of the project. The vessels will operate on LNG and will be prepared for future use of bio-LNG and liquefied biomethane. Advanced engine technology and specially designed LNG tanks are expected to help reduce methane emissions.

 

Picture: K Line