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Sources told LNG Prime on Wednesday that SIPG has sent enquiries to Chinese shipbuilders for the LNG bunkering newbuild.
The vessel is expected to have a capacity of between 18,000 cbm and 20,000 cbm.
According to the sources, all types of LNG tanks are being considered for the newbuild.
No further details have been revealed.
In addition to this move, the sources also said that UK-based LNG giant Shell is close to deciding on a project that includes building up to four LNG bunkering vessels.
The sources did not provide additional details regarding this project.
Shell delivered 1.1 million tonnes of marine LNG last year, hitting a new record and more than doubling the amount delivered in 2023.
This was achieved with 1000 bunkering operations across 26 bunkering locations in 12 countries, by 12 bunker barges, Shell said.
Shell worked with Carnival, CMA CGM, Eastern Pacific Shipping, K Line, Northern Lights JV, Seaboard Marine, ZIM, and others on the LNG bunkering operations.
Shanghai LNG bunkering
As per SIPG, the company’s joint venture with Shenergy, Shanghai SIPG Energy Service (SSES), already operates the 20,000-cbm bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai.
Small-scale player Avenir took delivery of this vessel from China’s CIMC SOE in December 2021, and subsequently sold it to the Chinese firm.
In March 2022, the SSES completed the first LNG bunkering operation with this vessel under its long-term deal with French shipping giant CMA CGM.
Last year, SSES also completed the first bunkering operation to an MSC containership with the large LNG bunkering vessel, while SIPG also signed a deal with South Korea’s HMM to bunker its vessels with LNG and methanol.
SSES also delivers LNG fuel to vessels owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping and PIL.
In December 2024, SSES reached a new bunkering record when Hai Gang Wei Lai bunkered 11 ships.
SSES also said that the 14,000-cbm river-sea vessel, Huaihe Nengyuan Qihang, realized the trial operation of two types of vessels at two terminals in Waigaoqiao area during the Christmas season.
In July last year, Hudong-Zhnoghua delivered this vessel to Huaihe Energy Group.
Including both vessels, SSES set a record high of 13 refuelings, 7 loadings, and LNG refueling volume of nearly 68,000 cbm in a single month, the firm said.