Ceres Terminals Canada welcomed first LNG vessel into Vancouver BC

NYK’s first LNG fueled and data smart vessel makes inaugural call into the Port of Vancouver

Ceres Terminals Canada was pleased to welcome NYK’s first LNG fueled vessel the Sakura Leader into the Port of Vancouver on its first call of its maiden voyage. One of the world’s largest pure car and truck carriers handling approximately 7000 vehicles per voyage, the Sakura Leader is also the first LNG fueled cargo vessel to sail into the Port of Vancouver and is the first vessel for the NYK Line marked with the Digital Smart Ship notation.

The Sakura Leader is the first large LNG fueled ship to be built at a domestic shipyard in Japan with a length of 653 feet and the first vessel to receive a ship-to-ship LNG fueling in Japan. By using LNG fuel and improving the hull form, NYK says that the vessel will be about 40% more energy efficient (reducing CO2 emissions per unit of transport). These new LNG-fueled vessels are also expected to reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by approximately 99% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by approximately 86% compared to ships using conventional heavy oil–fired engines. The vessel was also recognized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment exceeding the International Maritime Organization (IMO) EEDI phase 3 requirements that will become effective in 2025 and supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a model project for reducing CO2 emissions from vessels by utilizing alternative fuels.

Ceres Terminals Canada has been a long term partner with NYK Line in Vancouver providing stevedoring services for their RoRo vessels.