Total’s first LNG bunker vessel launches

After delivery in 2020, the bunker vessel will operate in Northern Europe, where it will supply LNG to commercial vessels, including 300,000t per year for CMA CGM’s nine ultra-large newbuild containerships in Europe-Asia trade, for a period of at least 10 years.

“Developing infrastructure like this giant bunker vessel is essential to allow LNG to become a widely used marine fuel,” said Momar Nguer, president for Total marketing & services. “This first ship demonstrates our commitment to offering our customers both more environmentally friendly fuels and the associated logistics. Thanks to this pioneering investment, Total is making a positive contribution to the sustainable evolution of global shipping.”

GTT technology

Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding at its shipyard near Shanghai, the bunker vessel has a capacity of 18,600 cubic metres and is fitted with the latest tank technologies provided by the French company GTT.

Designed to be highly manoeuvrable and operate in ports and terminals safely, the 135m long vessel meets the highest environmental standards, thanks to the use of LNG as fuel and complete reliquefaction of boil-off gas.

The vessel’s construction is in line with the IMO’s 0.5% sulphur cap, effective 1 January 2020.