New LNG carrier named Sun Arrows

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) President, Akimitsu Ashida announced the naming of its newly built LNG carrier.

The vessel was named the 'Sun Arrows' by Hiroshima Gas President Hideki Fukayama and the rope was cut by his wife, Kayoko, in a ceremony held at the Kawasaki Shipbuilding's Sakaide Shipyard. Maple LNG Transport, a 50-50 joint venture of MOL and Hiroshima Gas, will own the 'Sun Arrows'. The ship will sail under a long-term charter with HG LNG Shipping, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hiroshima Gas. The 'Sun Arrows' will leave its maiden voyage to the loading port of Bintulu, Malaysia, at the beginning of November. It will transport LNG for Hiroshima Gas, from Malaysia, Sakhalin and other producing areas. In addition, the 'Sun Arrows' boasts LU3 equivalent performance, the highest level of ice resistance, the hull structure allows the ship to travel independently through areas with open icepacks as thick as 70cm without relying on an ice-breaker ship, in the Russian Ship Class Association. This is the first such LNG carrier operated by a Japanese shipping company.

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