China’s Shanghai SIPG Energy Service (SSES) has joined forces with Avenir LNG to bunker the recently delivered 15,000-teu LNG-powered containership, ZIM Sammy Ofer, in Yangshan port, Shanghai.
During the operation on March 2, the 20,000-cbm Hai Gang Wei Lai, owned by SSES, delivered LNG to the containership, whilst simultaneously carrying out cargo operation (Simops) at the port, according to separate statements issued by SSES and Avenir.
“This marks an important milestone for SSES and Avenir LNG’s partnership in promoting decarbonization and clean energy transition solutions in the shipping and logistics industry,” Avenir said in its statement.
South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries delivered this LNG-powered contrainership last month.
The vessel is the first of ten 15,000-teu LNG-powered containerships it built for owner Seaspan, a unit of Atlas Corp, and charterer Israel’s ZIM.
More than 30 LNG bunkering operations
ZIM’s first chartered LNG-powered containership is a new customer for the bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai.
The large bunkering ship recently completed its 30th STS operation to a CMA CGM LNG-powered containership.
In January last year, France’s CMA CGM joined forces with China’s terminal operator Shanghai International Port (SIPG) to fuel its LNG-powered container vessels.
SSES is a unit of SIPG and Shenergy and uses Hai Gang Wei Lai to fuel CMA CGM vessels in Yangshan port.
Avenir, a joint venture consisting of Stolt-Nielsen, Hoegh LNG and Golar LNG, took delivery of this vessel from China’s CIMC SOE in December 2021, and subsequently sold it to the Chinese firm.
“In recent years, LNG has rapidly become the new trend of power fuel for international voyages, while green and low-carbon has become the basic consensus and goal for the future development of the port and shipping industry,” Zhang Da, general manager of SSES, said in the statement.
“Since the implementation of the Shanghai Port’s bonded LNG bunkering project, it has always been highly valued by the Shanghai Municipal Government, and all relevant departments have given immense support,” he said.
Da added that ZIM is also a long-term partner of Shanghai Port and the firm will “deepen the cooperation with ZIM and explore the sustainable development of green shipping together.”