Kawasaki Heavy Industries develops expandable LNG fuel tank

KHI’s new expandable box-shaped tank can hold between 2,000-10,000 cu m of LNG and has dividers inside to reduce sloshing. At present, a typical LNG tank is barrel-shaped and can store less than 2,000 cu m.

The Japanese shipbuilder said it aims to commercialise the new tank design over the next year and will supply it to LNG-fuelled vessels requiring long distance capacity, including containerships and roros.

KHI is also expecting demand for such tanks to rise in view of increasingly stringent global regulations on harmful emissions.