Japan’s future icebreaking research ship to be LNG-powered

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has confirmed that plans are underway to develop a new icebreaking research vessel that will be powered by a dual-fuel main engine.

The engine that will be fitted on the 128-metre vessel will be able to operate on either LNG or traditional fuel oil. This will enable it to achieve a speed of three knots while breaking through 1.2-metre-thick ice during Arctic research missions.

The vessel is being developed under a ¥34 billion (US$310 million) project. Construction will begin upon the selection of a shipyard following a competitive tender process that will run from July to August of this year.

JAMSTEC expects that the vessel will enter service by 2026.