China: Hudong-Zhonghua secures order for LNG bunkering vessel from Ibaizabal

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), recently said it signed a letter of intent to build a 18,600 cubic metre (m3) liquified natural gas bunkering (LNG) vessel with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal.

The vessel will be operated by French energy giant TotalEnergies. The letter was signed during a video conference and marked the second collaboration between Ibaizabal and Hudong-Zhonghua in LNG bunkering  vessels. In July 2024, Ibaizabal as the shipowner, and TotalEnergies as the operator, signed a contract with Hudong-Zhonghua for 1+1 18,600 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel was independently developed by Hudong-Zhonghua and will be the world’s largest and most advanced bunkering vessel in the world.  

The vessel will have a total length of 135.9 metres, a beam of 24.5 metres, a design speed of 12 knots. It will adopt the GTT MARK III FLEX liquid cargo containment system, with a boil-off rate as low as 0.16%/day.

Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding also said it signed a letter of intent for a series of 8,300 TEU container ships with independent containership lessor Seaspan. 

This type of ship is the latest generation of medium-sized container ships developed by the shipbuilder. The vessels are designed for both feeder and ocean routes with energy efficiency in mind. 

Photo credit: Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding
Published: 26 May, 2025