TotalEnergies: MOL’s 2nd large LNG bunkering vessel nearing delivery

The second large LNG bunkering vessel owned by Japan’s MOL and chartered by French energy giant TotalEnergies has completed its gas trials in China.

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua started building the 18,600-cbm capacity Gas Vitality in late April last year and held a keel-laying ceremony in August.

TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, a unit of the French firm, said in a statement on Monday the vessel has completed gas trials off Shanghai earlier this month.

To remind, LNG Prime reported on the completion of sea trials in June.

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.

Improved features

Both of the LNG bunkering ships feature GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system and Wartsila’s dual-fuel propulsion.

In addition, Gas Vitality will incorporate enhanced equipment boosting its bunkering efficiency and flexibility to supply LNG to a wide range of vessels across various segments and sizes, according to TotalEnergies.

These improved features include an additional bow thruster, upgraded cargo pumps and high duty compressors, as well as a pressure reduction system to optimize bunkering operations of Type C tank vessels under all conditions.

First LNG bunkering vessel in France

Due to go into operational service in the final quarter of this year, the LNG bunkering ship will be stationed in the Marseille-Fos area in France to serve the Mediterranean region.

It will be the first LNG bunkering vessel to be based in France.

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.

“We are excited to be at the forefront of making LNG bunkering capabilities readily available in France and the Mediterranean region,” said Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, VP marine fuels at TotalEnergies.

“With shipping’s accelerating transition to this cleaner marine fuel, we look forward to providing our customers with another major European hub for their LNG bunkering needs,” he said.

Most Popular

Delfin inks new deals for US FLNG project, eyes FID later this year

Delfin Midstream, the US developer of a floating LNG export project offshore Louisiana, is moving forward with the project by signing new deals with Siemens Energy, Samsung Heavy, and Black & Veatch.

Deutsche ReGas: Mukran LNG terminal hits record in Q2

German LNG terminal operator Deutsche ReGas claims that its FSRU-based LNG import facility in Mukran was the highest-performing LNG terminal in Germany in the second quarter of this year.

Ukraine’s Naftogaz to get another US LNG cargo from Orlen

Poland's Orlen will supply another US LNG cargo to Ukraine's Naftogaz, the fourth shipment as part of a deal signed earlier this year.

More News Like This

KARMOL takes delivery of fourth FSRU

KARMOL, a joint venture of Turkiye's Karpowership and Japan's MOL, has taken delivery of its fourth floating storage and regasification unit in Singapore.

TotalEnergies expands in Malaysia with Petronas deal

French energy giant and LNG player TotalEnergies has entered into a deal with Petronas to buy stakes in multiple blocks offshore Malaysia and one block offshore Indonesia.

Argentina’s Enarsa gets offers for new LNG cargo tender

Argentina's state-owned LNG importer Energia Argentina (Enarsa) has received six offers for its third LNG cargo tender in 2025.

Hudong-Zhonghua hands over another LNG-powered giant to CMA CGM

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has delivered CMA CGM’s second in a new series of 24,000-teu LNG dual-fuel containerships.