Kumiai Navigation (PTE) Ltd. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Under Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (‘the Program’), which is jointly operated by Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK, ClassNK evaluated the LPG dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier, ‘CRYSTAL ODYSSEY’ (IMO 9997177), which is owned by Kumiai Navigation (Pte) Ltd (Kumiai Navigation). DBJ provided financing to Kumiai Navigation. In the shipping industry, where environmental regulations are becoming stricter as the industry moves towards decarbonisation, ClassNK evaluates ships based on a comprehensive scoring model jointly developed with DBJ from the perspective of 'decarbonisation, environmentally friendly performance, and innovativeness', and DBJ provides investment and financing. The project supports initiatives that contribute to the transition to decarbonisation from both IR and financial perspectives. LPG dual-fuelled large carrier Kumiai Navigation is a Japanese shipowner based in Singapore and has been taking progressive steps Kumiai Navigation is a Japanese shipowner based in Singapore and has been taking progressive steps toward the transition to decarbonisation, such as placing orders for LPG dual-fuelled LPG carriers ahead of other industry players. The ship is a state-of-the-art LPG dual-fuelled large LPG carrier built at Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and delivered to Kumiai Navigation in June 2025. Following points are in the assessment of the vessel The following points were highly evaluated in this assessment of the vessel: The use of LPG fuel is expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 15% compared to the use of conventional fuel oil. The vessel is designed and partially equipped to use ammonia fuel in the future as an ‘ammonia-fuel-ready ship.’ The installation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system allows the vessel to comply with the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Tier III NOx regulations. The use of LPG fuel enables compliance with the IMO’s SOx regulations, particularly the 0.1% limit in emission control areas (ECAs). Transition toward decarbonisation As a result, the vessel received a ‘S’ rating, the highest rank in the Program, recognising it as a ship with 'exceptionally high decarbonisation, environmental consideration, and advanced performance', acknowledging that significant environmental-related investments have been made. Through the expansion of the Program, DBJ and ClassNK will support shipping and shipbuilding companies’ efforts to contribute to the transition toward decarbonisation and work together to accelerate the transition toward decarbonisation in the entire maritime industry.

Alfa Laval OceanGlide has been selected by Kumiai Navigation (PTE) LTD to be installed on one of its LPG tankers as a retrofit. The company’s decision to leverage fluidic air lubrication technology is rooted in its ambition to reduce the vessel's energy consumption, improve its overall performance and comply with environmental regulations. Alfa Laval OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system Alfa Laval has been selected for installation of its OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system on a 54k DWT LPG tanker owned by Kumiai Navigation, a Southeast Asian LPG tanker and bulk carrier company. With this order, Alfa Laval has added LPG tankers to vessel types that can benefit from OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication system. The system can be installed on both new and existing ships with ease. Trusted partner in the sustainability journey Alfa Laval OceanGlide offers a uniquely efficient and easy-to-install air lubrication solution As shipowners worldwide navigate the dynamic landscape of maritime sustainability, Alfa Laval OceanGlide offers a uniquely efficient and easy-to-install air lubrication solution. This patented system uses fluidic technology to generate an even, controllable air layer across a vessel’s entire flat bottom, reducing friction and drag. By decreasing the vessel's resistance, OceanGlide offers a proven method for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Alfa Laval and Kumiai Navigation partnership “In these challenging times, we recognise that reliable partners, such as Alfa Laval, are needed to achieve our sustainability goals,” says Tomo Kuroyanagi, Managing Director, Kumiai Navigation, adding “We want to invest in green shipping practices to help us lower our power consumption and comply with upcoming environmental regulations.” He continues, “In this effort, OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication is currently one of the best available solutions that offer remarkable gains in improving vessel performance and meeting our environmental targets.” Reduce the vessel’s energy consumption and emissions The decision to choose OceanGlide originates from the customer’s ambition to reduce the vessel’s energy consumption and emissions, coupled with the company’s trust in Alfa Laval’s solution to make a significant impact on vessel’s carbon footprint. “We are pleased to partner up with our customer, Kumiai Navigation, to serve the LPG tanker segment with our fluidic air lubrication system, OceanGlide,” says Rajiv Sarin, Head of Air Lubrication, Alfa Laval. He adds, “We value the trust our partner has in our technology and collaboration to help them achieve their goal of sailing sustainably. As the market for OceanGlide fluidic air lubrication grows, we are happy to support our customers in their efforts to reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency of their fleet as a retrofit or a new build installation.” Proven technology with multiple benefits OceanGlide uses fluidic technology to create and control streamlined air layer sections on the vessel’s flat bottom OceanGlide uses fluidic technology to create and control streamlined air layer sections on the vessel’s flat bottom, each with its own fluidic band. The independent steering of each band allows a more controlled airflow to reduce friction between the hull and water. These individually controlled sections serve to minimise drag and ensure maximum coverage, eliminating passive cavities along the vessel’s underside. Energy expenditure is minimised Energy expenditure is minimised because there are few compressors and the bands add almost no drag when switched off. Air distribution bands are installed easily with minimal hull penetrations, which reduces shipyard time and costs, even as a retrofit. OceanGlide is proven to reduce specific drag by 50–75% and can provide reliable fuel savings of up to 12% under real-life conditions. The actual amount of fuel savings achieved can vary depending on vessel operations & operator priorities. Adoption of advanced new sustainable technologies The technology also supports compliance with EEDI/ EEXI and CII requirements laid down by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “OceanGlide serves our goal of adopting advanced new sustainable technologies to remain competitive in this challenging market. We are excited to take advantage of the fluidic air lubrication technology to help us decarbonise and contribute towards our carbon reduction roadmap,” says Tomo Kuroyanagi from Kumiai Navigation.

Development Bank of Japan Inc. (DBJ) and ClassNK established "Zero-Emission Accelerating Ship Finance (Program)" to support the maritime industry's transition toward decarbonisation. As tightened environmental regulations and the future introduction of carbon pricing are expected in the maritime industry, DBJ and ClassNK have anticipated an increasing need for a system to reasonably evaluate the asset value of environmentally friendly ships and to combine them with investment and financing, and brought together each knowledge and expertise. Comprehensive scoring model-based evaluation Under the established Program, ClassNK evaluates ships based on a comprehensive scoring model jointly developed by DBJ from the perspective of "decarbonisation, environmentally friendly performance, and innovativeness," and DBJ provides investment and financing. As the first project under the Program, ClassNK evaluated the LPG dual-fueled large LPG carrier, “CRYSTAL OASIS” (IMO No. 9915806) owned by Kumiai Navigation (Pte) Ltd, and DBJ provided a loan to Kumiai to finance its acquisition. LPG dual-fueled large LPG carrier Kumiai has been taking progressive steps toward the transition to decarbonisation Kumiai is a Japanese shipowner based in Singapore and has been taking progressive steps toward the transition to decarbonisation, such as placing orders for LPG dual-fueled LPG carriers ahead of other industry players. The ship is a state-of-the-art LPG dual-fueled large LPG carrier built at Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and delivered to Kumiai in June 2022. Criteria for evaluation In evaluating the ship, the following factors were taken into account: The dual-fuel main engine using LPG has realised a significant reduction of sulfur oxide (SOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the exhaust gas, and the ship has been certified to be compliant with the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) Phase 3 requirements achieved prior to the enforcement of the regulation; The installation of an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system has enabled the ship to meet the nitrogen oxide (NOx) Tier III regulation; and In further consideration of preventing air and marine pollution, the ship is equipped with various environmental technologies not mandated by international conventions. It is assigned ClassNK’s "Environmental Awareness (EA)" and "Advanced Environmental Awareness (a-EA)" notation, which is to be provided to the ships implementing special and advanced environmental measures. S-rating The ship was given with "S" rating, the highest rank in the Program as “the ship with particularly high decarbonisation, environmentally friendly performance and innovativeness”, recognising that adequate environment-related investments have been made. Through the expansion of the Program, DBJ and ClassNK will support shipping companies’ efforts to contribute to the transition toward decarbonisation and work together to accelerate the transition toward decarbonisation in the entire maritime industry.