Kawasaki Heavy Industries newly built LPG Carrier named “Luna Pathfinder”

August 8, 2025

On August 5, a naming ceremony took place at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. for a newly built very large gas carrier (VLGC). This vessel marks the sixth dual-fuel LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) carrier ordered by NYK, following the delivery of Liberty Pathfinder in October of the previous year. Upon its completion, the ship will be chartered by Astomos Energy Corporation, one of the world’s leading LPG companies, for the domestic and global transportation of LPG.

The ceremony was attended by about 50 people, including Toshinobu Sato, vice president of Astomos Energy, and Hironobu Watanabe, managing executive officer of NYK. During the event, Sato officially named the vessel “Luna Pathfinder,” after which his wife performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

The vessel’s name reflects our commitment to a future path toward decarbonization, as the VLGC is designed to also carry ammonia. “Pathfinder” denotes a guiding marker, while “Luna,” the Roman goddess of the moon, evokes imagery of tranquility and peaceful voyages under the night sky.

From right to left.
Fourth, Hironobu Watanabe, Managing Executive Officer, NYK;
Sixth, Toshinobu Sato, Vice President, Astomos Energy;
Seventh, Takamasa Ogino, Executive Officer, Head of Ship & Offshore Division, Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Ninth, Yoshihiro Kurihara, Senior Executive Officer in charge of Business Development and Regional Strategy, Astomos Energy

Ship Features

The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel engine capable of using both heavy oil and LPG as fuel. By utilizing the rotation of the shaft connected from the main engine to the propeller to generate electricity, the diesel generators can be shut down during regular navigation, enabling operation primarily on LPG fuel. When using LPG, emissions of sulfur oxides (SOx) are reduced by more than 95% and greenhouse gases (GHG) by over 20% compared to conventional heavy fuel oil.

Moreover, in addition to LPG the vessel can carry ammonia, for which demand is expected to increase as it is attracting attention as a means of realizing a decarbonized society in the future.