Kawasaki Heavy Industries delivers LNG-fueled VLCC Tsurugidake
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has delivered the very large crude oil carrier (VLCC) TSURUGIDAKE to SEQUOIA NAVIGATION INC. at the Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co., Ltd. (DACKS) shipyard in Dalian, China.
The vessel, identified as Kawasaki hull number 8100 and DACKS hull number DE156, is the fourth LNG-fueled VLCC delivered as a vessel from the Kawasaki Group. The shipyard operates as a joint venture involving Kawasaki Heavy Industries and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited.
With a deadweight capacity of 310,020 tonnes, the tanker incorporates a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulfur fuel oil (LSFO).
Propulsion and environmental performance
The TSURUGIDAKE features a redesigned bow that replaces the conventional bulbous bow with a configuration extending the vessel’s length at the waterline. According to Kawasaki, the design reduces wave-making resistance during navigation and improves propulsion efficiency.
The vessel is equipped with a low-speed, ultra-long-stroke main engine and a large-diameter, high-efficiency propeller designed to reduce fuel consumption.
When operating on LNG, Kawasaki estimates that the dual-fuel engine can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 25–30%, sulfur oxide emissions by 100% and nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 85%, compared with conventional heavy-fuel-oil engines.
These figures represent the manufacturer’s expected emissions performance rather than independently verified operational results.
The vessel also complies with Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 requirements and is fitted with sulfur oxide scrubbers on the exhaust outlets of its main engine and power-generation system.
Vessel specifications
The TSURUGIDAKE measures 339.50 metres in overall length, with a breadth of 60 metres and a depth of 28.90 metres. Its molded draft is 21.03 metres, while its gross tonnage is 166,708.
The tanker has a cargo capacity of 352,151 cubic metres and an approximate service speed of 15.45 knots. It is powered by a MAN B&W 7G80ME-C10.5-GI-HPSCR engine and has accommodation for 37 people.
The vessel is registered under the Panamanian flag and classified by ClassNK.
Its delivery on 14 October 2026 adds another LNG-fueled crude oil tanker to the Kawasaki Group’s completed vessel portfolio.
