VESSEL REVIEW | Alice Cosulich – Italian operator adds LNG bunkering ship to fleet

Italian conglomerate the Fratelli Cosulich Group recently took delivery of its first LNG bunkering vessel, which was built by Chinese shipyard Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering (CIMC SOE).

Alice Cosulich is the first in a new series of two small-scale LNG bunkering vessels designed and built by CIMC SOE. Each ship in the series has an LOA of 113 metres, a moulded beam of 20 metres, a design draught of 6.35 metres, a summer deadweight tonnage of 5,300, and an LNG cargo capacity of 8,200 cubic metres. Additional cargo tanks are also available for the storage of up to 500 cubic metres of biodiesel or MGO.

A propulsion arrangement that includes dual-fuel engines and two Schottel 2,300mm, diesel-driven azimuthing propellers and bow thrusters delivers a free sailing speed of 13 knots. The cargo handling system also includes a subcooling plant for minimising occurrences of boil-off and any resulting cargo loss while the vessel is underway.

Alice Cosulich will sail under the Italian flag and will initially be deployed to serve a long-term time charter with Netherlands-based marine fuels distributor Titan LNG. The vessel will operate in Europe, primarily in the Mediterranean, to provide both LNG and liquefied biomethane bunkering services for Titan's clients beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Sister vessel Paolina Cosulich is meanwhile nearing completion at CIMC SOE's facilities and is scheduled to be delivered to Fratelli Cosulich the following January.

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