Sea and gas trials of the first LNG bunkering vessel to be based in France have been completed, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and TotalEnergies Marine Fuels confirmed on Tuesday, July 12.
The BV-classed 18,600-cubic-metre vessel will enter service in the fourth quarter of 2021 following completion at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China.
The vessel will sail under the French flag and will be operated by V-Ships France. It will be homeported at Marseilles-Fos and will serve clients in the Mediterranean off southern France.
Under the vessel's initial contract, it will supply LNG to CMA CGM's containerships and MSC Cruises' vessels that call at Marseille-Fos.