Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) is expanding its fleet of methanol-ready ships with an order of three post-Panamax bulkers from Japanese shipbuilder Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd (NSY).

NSY, a joint venture between Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) and  Imabari Shipbuilding, will construct the next-generation 92-type (92,000 deadweight tons) methanol-ready vessels known as K Line's "Corona-series" with wide-beam, shallow-draught coal carriers optimally designed for the transportation of coal to coal-fired power plants in Japan.

These vessels have been developed by Nihon as next-generation, environmentally friendly ships.

K Line said these new vessels would feature a 40% improvement in CO2 emissions efficiency based on NSY's optimal ship development, including the newest main engine and the adoption of energy-saving accessories.

Construction contracts for bunkers of no less than 20,000 deadweight tons, which will be concluded in 2025 or later, must be 30% more efficient in CO2 emissions than the EEDI standards in Phase 3.

"Moreover, the methanol-ready ship concept, which assumes a shift toward methanol, a marine fuel with a low environmental footprint, will be adopted," the Japanese firm said.

Under K Line's Environmental Vision 2050, a long-term environmental guideline, K Line has set a goal of improving CO2 emissions efficiency by 50% and achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

K Line also plans to implement a shift to new highly eco-friendly fuels, and the use of wind-power propulsion systems.