Asia LNG Transport (ALT), a joint venture between Japan’s NYK and Malaysia’s MISC Berhad, has agreed a long-term charter with Malaysia LNG Sdn. Bhd. for a new dual-fuel LNG carrier. The vessel is scheduled to join the venture in 2028 and will carry LNG to Japan, Ship & Bunker reported.
The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Tokyo on 9 October. Ship & Bunker cited a statement published by NYK on its website on Tuesday as the source of the announcement. The report identifies Malaysia LNG as the charter counterparty but does not give a precise duration for the long-term arrangement or disclose its financial terms.
China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding will build the carrier, which will have cargo tank capacity of 18,700 m3 and an overall length of about 129.8 metres. The delivery timetable places the vessel’s arrival in 2028; the report does not provide a more specific delivery date or a date for the start of charter operations.
The ship will be equipped with a dual-fuel electric propulsion system. That propulsion specification forms part of the newbuild described in the charter announcement, alongside its LNG cargo capacity and dimensions. Ship & Bunker did not report further details of the machinery configuration, fuel consumption or expected emissions performance.
NYK senior managing executive officer Hironobu Watanabe welcomed the conclusion of the charter agreement. He said NYK would work with Malaysia LNG, MISC and its other partners to deliver safe, dependable LNG transport and help maintain a stable energy supply to Japan.
Japan is the stated destination for the vessel’s LNG shipments. The report does not identify loading or discharge terminals, individual Japanese customers or expected voyage frequency, leaving the announced transport role defined at country level rather than by a detailed operating route.