Green award for LNG powered tug

NYK Line received the Technology Special Award at the 2015 Ship of the Year Awards sponsored by the Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers (JASNAOE).

Sakigake was noted by manufacturers and related organisations for its environmental performance, design, technological development.

The NYK owned Sakigake is equipped with dual-fuel engines that can use not only diesel oil, but also LNG. Compared with conventional tugboats that use marine diesel oil, Sakigake emits about 30% less carbon dioxide, 80% less nitrogen oxide, and no sulphur oxide when it uses LNG.

Sakigake was built by Keihin Dock Co Ltd and delivered in August 2015. The tug has been chartered to Wing Maritime Service Corporation from NYK and operated mainly at the ports of Yokohama and Kawasaki.

The build project received subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which supports projects promising energy-saving logistics and innovative maritime transport improvement. Nippon Kaiji Kyokai also provided joint research support.

In accordance with the NYK Group’s “More Than Shipping 2018” medium-term management plan, NYK has been implementing a number of creative solutions, such as the construction of the world’s first LNG fueled car carrier and LNG bunkering vessel.

NYK said it will contribute to the continuing promotion and development of LNG fuel for ships for environmental benefits.