An Italian operator christens a new bunkering ship as construction continues on LNG carriers for Chinese and Qatari owners. Gas carrier orders have been placed by clients in Greece and Singapore. Finally, a UK design firm unveils plans for a new methanol bunkering ship.
Greek shipowner Prime Marine has selected Swedish naval architecture firm FKAB Marine Design to undertake design work on a new liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier. The vessel will have a total cargo capacity of 4,300 cubic metres.
FKAB said the vessel will incorporate technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Among the propulsion options to be evaluated are wind assisted propulsion.
China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding recently laid the keels of two LNG carriers in a series. Upon completion, each ship will have an LOA of 299 metres, a beam of 46.4 metres, a depth of 26.25 metres, and a total cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres.
The vessels are classed by China Classification Society. One of the ships will be delivered to CNOOC Oil and Gas Power while the other is slated for QatarEnergy.
Singapore shipowner Kumiai Navigation has placed an order for a very large gas carrier (VLGC) to be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The ship will be the fourth LPG carrier in a series to be acquired by Kumiai Navigation from the same builder.
The 230-metre-long vessel will have a cargo capacity of 86,700 cubic metres. The cargo tank arrangement will allow the ship to transport LPG and liquefied ammonia gas simultaneously.
Delivery is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026. Once in service, the VLGC will begin serving a long-term contract with an undisclosed charterer.
UK-based design and engineering consultancy Houlder has unveiled concept design images of a new methanol bunkering vessel with a cargo capacity of 10,000 cubic metres. The vessel is being developed by Houlder as part of the SPINE Project, which project aims to establish an interface between ships, remote control centres, port operating systems, and national energy infrastructure to address challenges in maritime decarbonisation and autonomy.
Italian shipping company the Fratelli Cosulich Group has formally named its newest bunkering vessel. Built by Chinese shipyard Zhejiang Shenzhou Sunshine Heavy Industry, Marta Cosulich is an IMO Type II chemical bunker tanker fully equipped to carry methanol and biofuels up to B100 grade. Its area of operations will encompass the Port of Singapore.