Japanese shipping giant MOL said it has concluded a “transition loan” for the second LNG-powered bunkering vessel which will serve France’s TotalEnergies.
MOL said in a statement on Monday the transition-linked loan relies on a transition finance framework and the sustainability-linked loan principles.
Societe Generale and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking provided the loan, MOL said, without providing the financial details.
The announcement comes just days after Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua held a naming ceremony for the 18,600-cbm Gas Vitality on October 26.
Hudong delivered the ship five days later to MOL’s unit Emerald Blue Maritime and TotalEnergies.
The 135 meters long vessel has similar specifications as its sister ship, Gas Agility, which already works for TotalEnergies from the Dutch port of Rotterdam.
MOL and TotalEnergies claim these are the world’s largest LNG bunkering vessels.
Both of the LNG bunkering ships feature GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system and Wartsila’s dual-fuel propulsion.
Following its arrival in France in December, Gas Vitality will be stationed in the Marseille-Fos area in France to serve the Mediterranean region.
It would be the first LNG bunkering vessel to be based in France, TotalEnergies previously said.
Furthermore, the Bureau Veritas-classed vessel will fuel CMA CGM’s containerships and MSC Cruises’ upcoming LNG-powered cruise ships that call at the French port.
V.Ships France will operate the vessel under the French flag.