US LNG player New Fortress Energy will use Avenir LNG’s large bunkering and supply vessel for a period of six months during this year, ahead of its charter deal with energy giant Shell which will start in 2023.
London-based Avenir LNG said in its 2021 report released last week it had chartered the 20,000-cbm Avenir Achievement, currently under construction at China’s CIMC SOE, to Wes Edens-led NFE for a period of six months.
The joint venture of Stolt-Nielsen, Hoegh LNG and Golar LNG said the charter would begin in July this year, following delivery from the Chinese yard.
Avenir did not provide any additional information.
In December, Houston-based Shell NA LNG, a unit of Shell, and Avenir signed the charter deal for Avenir Achievement.
Starting in the first quarter of 2023, the vessel would serve Shell for a period of three years with an option to extend up to five years, Avenir said.
Avenir previously ordered two 20,000-cbm vessels, namely Avenir Allegiance and Avenir Achievement. The firm claims these are the world’s largest LNG bunkering ships.
However, it recently sold the 20,000-cbm Avenir Allegiance to a joint venture consisting of China’s terminal operator Shanghai International Port (SIPG) and Shenergy.
Shanghai SIPG Energy Service Co. will use the vessel to bunker CMA CGM’s LNG-powered vessels as part of a deal revealed in January.
Avenir Ascension delivered
Besides these two large bunkering vessels, Avenir has four 7,500-cbm LNG bunkering and supply ships in its fleet.
Avenir took delivery of Avenir Advantage, chartered by Petronas, and Avenir Accolade, chartered by NFE, from Keppel Offshore & Marine’s Nantong yard.
In addition, CIMC SOE also delivered Avenir Aspiration and this ship serves Avenir’s Higas terminal located on the Italian island of Sardinia.
Avenir also said in the report it took delivery of the 7,500-cbm Avenir Ascension from CIMC SOE in January this year.
The firm said it would use this vessel to provide “bunkering services to LNG-fueled vessels in the South Baltic Sea.”
According to its AIS data provided by VesseleValue, the ship was on Monday located in the Mediterranean Sea, offshore Greece.
