A new icebreaker being built by Arctech Helsinki Shipyard for the Finnish Transport Agency will be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines capable of operating on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulphur diesel fuel. When launched in late 2015, it will be the first LNG-powered icebreaker in the world.   Wärtsilä's industry leading track record in dual-fuel engine technology was a crucial factor in the award of the contract. By enabling LNG to be used as the engine fuel, both exhau...

Japan Marine United (JMU) is claiming 16% fuel savings from its contra rotating propeller (CRP) combined with other energy saving devices, and is looking to extend coverage to all vessel types.  JMU is the first shipbuilder in the world to fit a CRP to a large type bulk carrier, the 97,000 dwt Shoyoh. The CRP comprises two fixed propellers that contra rotate. Takuro Yoshikawa, general manager of JMU Europe, explained that with a standard single propeller there is a stream of lost en...

Eastern Pacific Shipping has went to South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard to buy two new 38,000 cu m LPG carriers for $102m. The deal includes an option for the shipowner to purchase two more similar gas carriers. The newbuildings are expected to be constructed from March 2016. The LPG carrier orders came on the back of an expected boom in the US shale oil market, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard said. Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping currently manages a diverse fleet consisting of dry bulk ca...

Japan’s shipowners Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) have separately reached a deal with Chubu Electric Power Company to jointly own a new LNG carrier each. One of the LNG carrier owning companies Trans Pacific Shipping 2 Ltd (TPS2), a 50-50 joint venture between MOL and Mitsubishi Corporation, will see MOL transfer 30% of its stake and Mitsubishi 10% for Chubu Electric to own 40% share. Another LNG carrier owning company Trans Pacific 1 Ltd (TPS1) will be 40% owned by...