Fri 16 Jan 2026, 06:20 GMT | Updated: Fri 16 Jan 2026, 06:25 GMT | Evangelia Fragouli

Imabari Shipbuilding delivers 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier


Japanese shipbuilder hands over vessel claiming 25-30% CO₂ reduction versus conventional heavy oil-fuelled ships.


Undine Highway vessel.
Imabari Shipbuilding's latest LNG-fuelled car carrier promises significant emissions reductions through dual-fuel technology and exhaust gas recirculation systems. Pictured: Undine Highway, a 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier. Image credit: Imabari Shipbuilding

Imabari Shipbuilding has completed delivery of Undine Highway, a 7,000-unit LNG-fuelled car carrier constructed at the company’s Marugame Business Headquarters in Japan.

The vessel was handed over on 14 January, the shipbuilder said.

According to Imabari Shipbuilding, the car carrier is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system enabling operation on LNG, delivering a reported 25–30% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with conventionally fuelled heavy fuel oil vessels.

The ship is also fitted with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, which the yard said reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 80–90%, while sulphur oxide emissions are almost entirely eliminated when operating on LNG.

The design incorporates a boil-off gas (BOG) handling arrangement that allows gas generated from the LNG fuel tanks to be used in onboard generators and boilers, reducing the need for fuel disposal or venting.

Cargo operations are supported by a bulkheadless internal layout combined with wider, straighter ramps intended to simplify vehicle movements and improve loading efficiency. A liftable deck system enables deck heights to be adjusted, allowing the vessel to carry both passenger cars and higher vehicles such as trucks and trailers.

The Undine Highway has an overall length of 199.93 metres, a beam of 38.0 metres, and a depth of 38.76 metres. It has a deadweight of 18,652 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 77,650.

Propulsion is provided by a 6S60ME-C10.5-GI main engine, giving a service speed of approximately 18.25 knots. The vessel is classed by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai and is registered under the Panamanian flag.



World Kinect Corporation logo. World Kinect marine segment posts record quarterly gross profit amid bunker price volatility  

Marine division delivers its best-ever quarterly result as the conflict in the Middle East drives bunker price swings.

Explora III vessel. Explora Journeys takes delivery of first LNG-powered ship in its fleet  

Explora III, delivered by Fincantieri in Genoa, marks the brand’s first LNG-fuelled vessel.

Patrick Ryan, Keyyong Hong and Jinyoung Cho. ABS grants approval in principle for nuclear-powered 15,000-teu containership concept  

The concept design, developed with two Korean research institutes, features a marine molten salt reactor.

Tsuneishi logo. T-SOL delivers first Japan-built methanol fuel supply system  

The system, which received ClassNK approval in principle in 2024, will be installed on a Kamsarmax bulk carrier.

Port of Rotterdam. Rotterdam records 0.4% rise in total throughput for H1 2026  

LNG throughput up 1.7% to 6.4m tonnes, with exports increase attributed partly to greater use of LNG as a marine fuel.

Steel-cutting ceremony of vessel with builder's hull no. S1151. Construction begins on LNG bunkering vessel for Shell  

Ceremony held for first of two 18,900-cbm vessels being built for Purus Marine.

Singapore skyline. Monjasa seeks supply trader in Singapore  

Role focused on developing and maintaining supplier relationships for the firm's back-to-back operations.

Panama City skyline. Monjasa hiring trader for Panama physical trading team  

Bunker firm looking for candidates with at least two years' experience in sales, trading, shipping, logistics, or similar commercial role.

CIMC SOE building. CIMC SOE and Sinopec Clean Energy sign contract for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel  

Vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will serve China’s coastal LNG bunkering network.

S-Oil B30 VLSFO supply launch. S-Oil begins supplying B30 VLSFO from Ulsan  

South Korean refiner S-Oil enters the bio-bunkering market with a vertically integrated Ulsan supply chain.