TEX reported that Norway's BW Gas (Bergesen) put LNG carrier Koto into dock for repair, which was disclosed by China's Jiangsu Xingrong Shipyard Co Limited. The vessel was hauled and went up the Yantze river and arrived at the shipyard on June 16th 2012.

The LNG vessel, formerly called Kotowaka Maru with gas storage capacity of 125,000 cubic meters, once had been used for transportation of LNG between Indonesia and Japan. The vessel was unable to sail on account troubles. Then, BW Gas sounded out three Japanese shipping companies, Mitsui OSK Line, NYK Line and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Limited, which were the owners at that time, to sell the vessel for the purpose of using it for gas storage. BW Gas had completed transfer of the ownership at the end of May, 2010.

Troubles happened on Kotowaka Maru when anchored at a port in Malaysia around summer in 2009. The engine room was inundated with water and the vessel was unable to sail. Accordingly, the three Japanese companies decided to abandon the vessel.

Source - TEX Report Limited

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