Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE) celebrated the christening of the LNG carrier DIAMOND GAS JADE during a ceremony held at the Samsung Heavy Industries facility in South Korea. The 174,000 m³ vessel belongs to Diamond Global Energy Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, and will be used for the LNG Canada project.
The event brought together executives from both companies, including Tetsuro Wada, CEO of Diamond Global Energy, and Yukikazu Myochin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of “K” LINE. During the ceremony, the vessel was officially named DIAMOND GAS JADE, inspired by jade, a mineral representative of British Columbia, Canada, where LNG Canada operates.
An LNG vessel designed for long-term operations
The DIAMOND GAS JADE is part of a long-term charter agreement between Diamond Global Energy and “K” LINE. According to the Japanese shipping company, this agreement represents the first long-term contract for a newly built LNG carrier signed between the two companies.
The new LNG carrier was developed to meet the sustained growth in global energy demand and strengthen maritime transport operations for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Once delivered, the vessel will participate in the international logistics associated with LNG supply from Canada to various energy markets.
The vessel incorporates a ME-GA propulsion system and technologies focused on energy efficiency and emissions reduction, features that have become priority elements within the maritime sector specializing in LNG.
LNG Canada promotes new maritime investments
The LNG Canada project has established itself as one of the most significant energy developments in North America. Mitsubishi Corporation’s participation in this initiative has fostered investments in both infrastructure and specialized maritime transport.
In this context, “K” LINE maintains an expansion strategy focused on the LNG business. The company identified this segment as one of its priority areas within its Medium Term Management Plan published in 2022, seeking to expand long-term contracts and strengthen its presence in the international energy market.
Furthermore, the construction of the DIAMOND GAS JADE reflects the growing need for vessels capable of operating global energy routes with higher standards of efficiency and operational safety.
Main features of DIAMOND GAS JADE
- Astillero: Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
- Estimated delivery: August 2026.
- Total length: approximately 290 meters.
- Beam: 45.8 meters.
- Tank capacity: 174,000 m³.
- Propulsion system: ME-GA.
- Speed: 19.5 knots.
Source and photo: Kline.co.jp