JFE Steel vessel charter generates newbuilding orders
Illustration of LNG-fuelled ship for transporting steel raw materials (Source: JFE Steel Corporation)
Japanese steelmaker JFE Steel Corporation has signed long-term deals with NYK Line, “K” Line and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines to charter three 210,000dwt LNG-fuelled bulk carriers for transporting iron ore and coal from overseas locations to JFE Steel’s steelworks in Japan.
The newbuildings have been ordered from Japanese yards Japan Marine United and Imabari Shipbuilding. The vessels, designed by Nihon Shipyard, are planned to be delivered between 2024 and early 2025. Each bulker will have an overall length of just under 300m, beam of up to 50m and a draught of 18.4m. The shift to LNG-powered transportation will support global efforts to create a more carbon-neutral world by reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated during international shipping, says JFE Steel.
The steelmaker also plans to consider using zero-emission ships powered by other fuels such as ammonia and carbon-recycled methane. Earlier in 2021, JFE Steel had announced plans to become carbon neutral by 2050.
