Norway’s Kanfer in talks to secure work for two LNG bunkering vessels

Norway-based small-scale player Kanfer Shipping is still in talks to find work for two LNG bunkering vessels it ordered earlier this year in China.

Kanfer said in May it had contracted Chinese shipyard Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding to build two 6,000-cbm bunkering and distribution vessels and deliver them by the second half of 2023.

The firm also holds an option for two additional vessels.

“Kanfer is currently in concrete discussions for chartering these ships to solid counterparts and we are also making some additional measures to make us more attractive to the charters,” it said in a statement on Monday.

The market for LNG bunkering is “growing fast”, Kanfer says.

Classification society DNV recently reported a new monthly record in orders for LNG-powered ships and this number will continue to grow as owners look to comply with more stringent IMO rules and slash emissions.

However, soaring LNG prices “are making some players concerned which hamper the development of LNG, but more importantly the environment,” Kanfer said.

“Historically current LNG prices in comparison to other fossil fuels are abnormally high. Hence some LNG bunkering and distribution projects are unfortunately being delayed,” the firm said.

“We are however not concerned about finding a home for these ships and we also believe that the LNG prices will eventually fall,” Kanfer added.

Most Popular

Yang Ming books LNG-powered containerships in South Korea

Taiwan’s Yang Ming Marine Transport has decided to order LNG dual-fuel container vessels from South Korea's Hanwha Ocean as part of its ongoing fleet optimization plan.

Sabah to take stake in Petronas’ third FLNG

SMJ Energy, owned by the Sabah government, has signed a heads of agreement with Malaysian energy giant Petronas to take a 25 percent stake in the latter's third floating LNG production unit.

Japan’s LNG imports drop in June

Japan’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports dropped by 2.8 percent in June compared to the same month last year, according to provisional data released by the country’s Ministry of Finance.

More News Like This

DNV: LNG remains fuel of choice

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains the clear fuel of choice for alternative-fueled vessel orders, with 87 new ships ordered, totaling 14.2 million gross tonnes so far in 2025, according to classification society DNV.

Cosco Shipping’s yards get DNV OK for FLNG concept

China's Cosco Shipping (Qidong) Offshore and Cosco Shipping Shipyard (Nantong), both part of Cosco Shipping, have received approvals from classification society DNV for their nearshore floating LNG production unit.

GTT develops new ethane containment tech

French LNG containment giant GTT has received approvals from classification society BV for its new cargo containment systems developed for ethane transport.

Hudong-Zhonghua gets DNV OK for new LNG carrier

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has received approvals from classification society DNV for three new vessel designs, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.