On July 31, Marugame Shipyard—a subsidiary of Imabari Shipbuilding—delivered the 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel PCTC “SAPPHIRE ACE” to its owner, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), following completion of construction.
The “SAPPHIRE ACE” has a length of 199.93 meters, a beam of 38.0 meters, and a draft of 38.76 meters. It has a deadweight of 18,404 tons and a gross tonnage of 77,695. The vessel is powered by a 6S60ME-C10.5-GI main engine, has a speed of approximately 18.00 knots, is classed by NK, and flies the Panamanian flag.
Imabari Shipbuilding stated that, compared to conventional heavy-fuel-oil-powered PCTCs, the “SAPPHIRE ACE” can reduce CO₂ emissions by 25–30 percent, produces virtually no sulfur oxide emissions, and, by being equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 80–90 percent.
Since the LNG fuel tanks on the “SAPPHIRE ACE” continuously generate boil-off gas (BOG), this gas can be utilized by the ship’s generators and boilers, making the vessel more environmentally friendly.
In addition, the “SAPPHIRE ACE” features a partition-free design with wide ramps arranged in a straight line, which simplifies vehicle routing and improves both safety and loading/unloading efficiency. The adjustable deck height allows for vertical adjustment, enabling the vessel to load not only passenger cars but also trucks, trailers, and other large freight vehicles.