Total and MOL sign LNG bunker vessel charter

The 18,600m3 ship, to be delivered in 2020, will be used to supply CMS CGM’s LNG-fuelled ultra large containerships and is the first vessel big enough to supply such ships in a single operation. The bunker vessel will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China and fitted with a GTT Mark III membrane containment system.

Highly manoeuvrable by design, with a length of about 135m, the bunker ship will be able to operate safely in the considered harbours and terminals. It will itself use LNG as fuel and will feature reliquefaction plant to handle boil-off gas.

The long-term charter follows a contract between CMA CGM and Total for the supply of 300,000 tonnes a year of LNG signed in December 2017. Total and MOL have also signed a memorandum of understanding to combine their expertise in the development of marine LNG infrastructure and serve MOL’s future LNG needs.

Olivier Jouny, managing director, TMFGS, said: “We are very proud to partner with MOL for our first LNG bunker vessel. Combined with our strong historical activity in the bunker industry and our global footprint in LNG, this pioneer agreement offers a major contribution to the development of LNG as a marine fuel.”