Kitanihon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is just constructing the latest chemical tanker using the world’s first next-generation duplex stainless steel, NSSC-2351. This new material, NSSC-2351, was developed by Nittetsu Stainless Steel Co., Ltd. as the alternative to the conventional austenitic stainless steel, SUS-316L. NSSC-2351 is less susceptible to rare metal market price fluctuations due to the low content of rare metal materials such as nickel and molybdenum. As a result, shipyard can avoid the risk of resource price spikes. Today, the stainless steel price is still so high range therefore, the increasing number of shipyards are building chemical tankers using conventional duplex stainless steel. Especially, the Chinese shipyards have emerged in the chemical tanker market in recent years. However, Kitanihon Shipbuilding will actively incorporate new materials into the new vessel designs, aiming for further orders from owners.

The primary features of NSSC-2351 are high strength, high corrosion resistance, resource saving, price stability and can also load same chemical cargoes with SUS-316L. The technical maintenance of cargo tank can be easily by the crew members due to different with SUS-316 Clad steel, which is combined with 3mm-thick stainless/mild steel and is extremely delicate to handle, NSSC-2351 is organized by simple mono(single) stainless structure.

Kitanihon Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. will carry out the hull surface pressure measurement during the vessel’s sea trial as part of cooperation in joint research on energy-saving device development. The hull pressure data is collected by direct attaching ultra-small sensors to the hull surface. The real vessel research is so rare experiment and Kitanihon Shipbuilding will continue to contribute for the shipbuilding industry to improve energy efficiency subjects.