Avenir LNG expands operations to China with world’s largest LNG bunker vessel
The companies aim to establish Shanghai as a leading LNG bunkering hub. Shanghai SIPG Energy Service is a Chinese joint venture between Shanghai International Port Group and Shenergy Group which is responsible in delivering LNG bunker to CMA CGM’s containerships.
The Avenir Allegiance is the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel, and it will provide LNG to the biggest LNG bunker customer at the largest container port in the world. The 160 metre vessel was launched in January 2021 at Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard for CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering.
Avenir will be responsible for the global marketing of LNG bunkering services in Shanghai Port and will support Shanghai SIPG Energy Service with operational and technical services to ensure seamless LNG bunkering operations for the CMA CGM containerships and future customers.
The agreement expands Avenir’s bunkering network into the rapidly growing Chinese market adding another hub to its existing bunkering network in the Mediterranean, North West Europe and Malaysia.
In December 2021, Avenir entered into a chartering agreement with Shell NA LNG for its other 20,000cbm newbuild, Avenir Achievement. The vessel is expected to be delivered in Q2 2022. The time charter to Shell is expected to begin in Q1 2023 for a period of three years with an option to extend up to five years.
