Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line) has ordered four LNG dual-fuel car carriers for its European short-sea vehicle transport network.

The ships will be built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) and delivered for K Line European Sea Highway Services (KESS), the group’s European short-sea subsidiary. Each vessel will be able to carry around 1,380 vehicles.

The newbuildings are being developed for regional European trades, where port access and route conditions require specific vessel dimensions. They will be ice-classed and designed to meet the size restrictions of several vehicle import ports in Europe. The contract value has not been disclosed.

Beyond passenger vehicles, the vessels will be equipped with 60-tonne straight stern ramps. This arrangement will allow them to load heavier and larger cargoes, widening the range of transport work available to K Line in the region.