China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) is continuing to progress work on the first out of two LNG bunkering vessels it is building for Italian shipping group Fratelli Cosulich.
The yard held a keel-laying ceremony for the 8,200-cbm vessel with a working name S1058 on August 1, according to a statement.
Fratelli Cosulich placed the order for this 5,300-dwt dual-fueled vessel at CIMC SOE in May last year.
It will feature a cargo handling system by Wartsila and a Schottel propulsion system.
The company said the vessel would serve its customers in the Mediterranean region after CIMC SOE delivers it in the summer of 2023.
In addition to this ship, Fratelli Cosulich exercised an option for a second LNG bunkering vessel last year as well.
This LNG bunkering ship will have the same specifications as the first vessel.