According to the statement, the construction of the bunker vessel is in line with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) new regulations coming into force next year. Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding at their shipyard near Shanghai, the 18,600 cubic meter bunker vessel is fitted with GTT tanks. The 135-meter vessel is designed to be highly maneuverable for safe port operation.

The transition from heavy fuel oil to LNG is “competitive, efficient and an immediately available solution for maritime transportation,” Total explained in its statement.

“Developing infrastructure like this giant bunker vessel is essential to allow LNG to become a widely used marine fuel. 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,” Momar Nguer, President for Total Marketing & Services, said.

Total is the second-largest private global LNG player, with an overall portfolio of around 40 million tons per year by 2020.

Maritime Business World