Inpex Expands LNG Fleet with Newly Named Harmonic Breeze in South Korea
Inpex Shipping, a wholly owned subsidiary of Inpex, has signed a deal with MOL Encean, an affiliate of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), to expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) fleet with a newly christened vessel in South Korea.
Inpex Shipping has entered into a long-term time charter agreement with MOL Encean for a newly built LNG carrier, currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard in Geoje. The vessel is scheduled for completion in April 2026.
Ahead of its delivery, the shipyard hosted a naming ceremony attended by Takayuki Ueda, along with distinguished guests involved in the vessel’s construction. During the ceremony, the ship was officially named Harmonic Breeze. Once delivered, the LNG carrier will transport cargoes from Inpex’s global LNG portfolio.
The vessel features a membrane-type cargo containment system, using thin membrane tanks integrated into the hull structure, with a total cargo capacity of approximately 174,000 cubic meters. This latest addition is expected to further strengthen the reliability of Inpex’s transportation system supporting its LNG operations.
The expansion also supports Inpex’s LNG business, one of the company’s three strategic growth pillars, enhancing trading capabilities while enabling greater flexibility in LNG supply.
The Harmonic Breeze is powered by a high-efficiency, dual-fuel low-speed diesel engine (ME-GA), offering improved propulsion efficiency and lower fuel consumption compared with conventional steam turbine-driven LNG carriers.
The vessel is also equipped with a re-liquefaction system that captures excess boil-off gas generated during navigation, enabling more efficient LNG transportation while helping reduce environmental impact.
Inpex continues to expand its LNG portfolio, recently extending its memorandum of understanding with PT Pertamina (Persero) in Indonesia to collaborate on an LNG project in the Arafura Sea.
