Japanese shipping giants NYK Line and Mitsui OSK Lines have each ordered an LNG-fueled panamax bulker at domestic yards to service a long-term contract with Kyushu Electric Power Co (Kyuden).

The vessels, which the owners describe as world firsts, will be used exclusively to carry coal to the power producer’s coal-fired power plants in Japan.

Both 95,000-dwt bulkers will be built in Japan.