Sogestran marks steel-cutting for first of two Petroineos bunker vessels in China

French shipping company Sogestran Group on Thursday (15 October) announced the construction of the first of two bunker vessels being built at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard in China.

The first-steel-cutting ceremony took place on 8 October 2026, according to a social media post by Sogestran.

Last year, the company announced Petroineos and Sogestran’s subsidiary Maritima renewing their fleet dedicated to bunkering operations in the Fos, Marseille, and Toulon areas in southern France. The ships will be operated by Petroineos. 

Jean-Philippe Salducci, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Maritima, said the fleet renewal would enable the company to supply conventional marine fuels as well as current and future alternative fuels.

“By renewing our fleet, we will have the capacity to refuel with conventional fuel, but also with alternative fuels, current and future,” he said. 

“The two bunkering vessels that we announced last year with Petroineos will be able to transport three different products simultaneously and will benefit from the dual qualification: oil and chemicals.”

The vessels will be able to transport marine diesel, all types of fuel oil and low-carbon fuels including HVO, B24, B100 and e-methanol.

Sogestran aims to meet the range of marine fuel supply needs in the Marseille, Fos and Toulon areas as the shipping industry pursues decarbonisation, he added.

The Cap Morgiou is scheduled to be launched in 2027 and delivered in early 2028. Construction of the second vessel, Cap Janet, is expected to begin in six months, according to Sogestran.

Related: Chinese shipyard wins order for bunker vessel duo from Sogestran after two-year tender

Photo credit: Sogestran Group
Published: 16 October, 2026