Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) signed on the dotted line a few days ago to build a 138,000 gt LNG carrier in their ‘Sayaendo’ series for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines .  MHI describe this 288m (945ft) long vessel as a ‘New-generation’ LNG carrier, with a multitude of new design features which add up, MHI claims, to deliver a 25% reduction in fuel consumption compared to that of conventional LNG carriers of the same size; but essentially the design is marked by two outstanding features. The first a dramatic change in the shape of the ship compared with the distinctive dromedary-like silhouette of other LNG carriers. Second a  new turbine plant that achieves higher thermal energy by steam reheat. MHI 'Sayaendo' LNG Carrier: Image courtesy of MHI LNG Tanks – 'Peas in a Pod' StyleThe name itself explains the concept: ‘Sayaendo’ in Japanese means ‘peas in a pod’. The ‘peas’ are the spherical LNG tanks, the ‘pod&r... [More]