As part of the "Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance Program" run by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, the Ship Classification Society evaluated the LNG dual-fueled chemical tanker, FAIRCHEM PIONEER (IMO No. 9965552).
The vessel is a collaborative effort between Fukuoka Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Fairfield Japan Ltd. (FJL) and is presently under construction at Fukuoka Shipbuilding with a charter to FJL. DBJ has provided financing to Fukuoka Shipbuilding for the project.
ClassNK evaluates ships for the program using a comprehensive scoring system created jointly by DBJ. The scoring model takes into account factors such as "decarbonization, environmentally friendly performance, and innovativeness," while DBJ provides investment and financing.
Fukuoka Shipbuilding is a shipbuilding company with two shipbuilding yards in Fukuoka City and Nagasaki City. They specialize in building chemical tankers. Meanwhile, FJL is the Japanese subsidiary of Fairfield Chemical Carriers Inc., a US-based chemical tanker operator.
FJL has been working on initiatives to decarbonize its operations, including collaborating with Fukuoka Shipbuilding on the development of this vessel. This vessel is set to be the first LNG dual-fueled chemical tanker in Japan, and it is being built at Fukuoka Shipbuilding's Nagasaki Yard for delivery to FJL.
In evaluating the ship, the following factors were taken into account:
(1) The LNG dual-fueled engine enables a significant reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2), and the ship is expected to compliant with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)* Phase 3 requirements achieved prior to the enforcement of the regulation;
(2) Use of LNG fuels enables a reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur oxide (SOx), and particulate matter (PM) and meets the NOx Tier III regulation and the SOx regulation;
(3) Environmental soundness at its recycling is addressed by planning to develop and maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials required by the Ship Recycling Convention.
The vessel has received an "A" rating under the "Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance Program." The rating recognizes the vessel's high level of decarbonization, environmentally friendly performance, and innovativeness, as well as the adequate environment-related investments made for its construction.
DBJ and ClassNK plan to expand the Program to support shipping and shipbuilding companies in their efforts to contribute to the decarbonization transition. They will work together to accelerate the shift toward decarbonization across the entire maritime industry.