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INPEX : Shipping Concludes Long-Term Time Charter Contract for New LNG Carrier and Holds Naming CeremonyOpen a PDF
INPEX : Shipping Concludes Long-Term Time Charter Contract for New LNG Carrier and Holds Naming CeremonyOpen a
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April 17, 2026 INPEX Shipping Concludes Long-Term Time Charter Contract for New LNG Carrier and Holds Naming Ceremony TOKYO, JAPAN - INPEX CORPORATION (INPEX) announced that INPEX Shipping Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of INPEX, has concluded a long-term time charter contract with MOL Encean Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), for one newly built LNG carrier. The LNG carrier is currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.'s Geoje Shipyard in Geoje, the Republic of Korea, and is scheduled for completion in April 2026. Following delivery, the carrier will be deployed to transport LNG cargoes pertaining to INPEX's portfolio. Prior to completion, a naming ceremony was held at the shipyard. Naming Ceremony of " HARMONIC BREESE " INPEX President & CEO Takayuki Ueda and numerous distinguished guests involved in the construction of the LNG carrier attended the naming ceremony, where the vessel was named "HARMONIC BREEZE." The state-of-the-art LNG carrier is equipped with a membrane-type cargo containment system featuring thin membrane tanks integrated with the hull structure with a total cargo tank capacity of approximately 174,000 cubic meters. The carrier's main engine is a high-efficiency, dual-fuel low-speed diesel engine (ME-GA), which delivers superior propulsion efficiency and reduced fuel consumption compared with conventional steam turbine-driven LNG carriers. The carrier is also fitted with a system that re-liquefies excess boil-off gas generated during navigation, enabling the efficient transportation of LNG cargo while contributing to reduced environmental impact. The addition of the carrier to INPEX's fleet will further strengthen the reliability of the company's LNG transportation system serving its LNG portfolio. This, in turn, will support the expansion of INPEX's LNG business-one of the three growth pillars identified in INPEX Vision 2035 announced in February 2025-by enhancing LNG trading capabilities and enabling more flexible LNG supply. INPEX will continue its efforts to realize a responsible energy transition by efficiently operating its LNG transportation system, including the carrier, in compliance with international environmental regulations and related frameworks. Carrier specifications Principal Dimensions Length Overall: 294.4 m / Breadth: 46.4 m Carrier Type 174,000 m³ membrane-type LNG carrier Main Engine ME-GA Shipyard Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd., Geoje Shipyard Delivery April 2026