The first LNG battery hybrid-powered RORO vessel, i.e., cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, etc., berthed at the Hambantota International Port (HIP) for the discharge of construction machinery and equipment, the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) said in a statement on Monday (18).
The statement said the ship carried high and heavy vehicles, including airport buses, mobile cranes, etc., and that the transshipment cargo is destined for Dammam in Saudi Arabia and the Maldives.
The ship “Jasmine Leader” of NYK Line is one of a fleet of environmentally friendly, next-generation vessels with reduced emissions and a lower risk of oil spills, the HIPG said.
The HIPG added this ship is also the first NYK RORO vessel to make a direct call at HIP from Europe with transshipment cargo.
In 2023, the HIP handled 700,000 transshipment vehicles, a 26 percent increase from 2022 figures, HIPG said in January.