Expandable LNG Fuel Tank Developed

Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has developed an expandable LNG-fuel tank for ships that can store up to five times more LNG than earlier designs, reports Nikkei Asian Review.

The adjustable box-shaped tank can hold between 2,000 and 10,000 cubic meters of LNG and has dividers inside to reduce sloshing. Currently, the tanks used on LNG-fueled ships are barrel-shaped and are capable of storing less than 2,000 cubic meters.

KHI is anticipated to commercialize the new tank design over the next year and aims to supply it to LNG-fuelled vessels requiring long-distance capacity, including container ships and ro-ros.

The company is expecting demand for the tanks as SOx emission regulations become increasingly stringent.