China: SIMOPS LNG bunkering op of CMA CGM boxship completed in Shanghai

A ship-to-ship simultaneous liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering and cargo operation (SIMOPS) was conducted at Shengdong Wharf of Shanghai Yangshan Port recently, according to reports from media outlets in China. 

Bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai refuelled large container liner CMA CGM Greenland with 3,276 cubic meters (m3) of LNG bunker fuel. 

Shanghai Port is the first port in China and the third in the world to offer bonded LNG bunkering and the first port in China to have green methanol fuel “ship-to-ship” simultaneous refueling service capabilities. 

In January this year, Shanghai Port completed LNG bunkering for 11 ships, with a refuelling volume of 65,000 m3, a year-on-year increase of 138%.

Shanghai Port also oversaw three ships refuelled with methanol fuel, with a refuelling volume of 9,992 metric tonnes (mt), including 4,000 mt of methanol fuel for the Maersk Halifax, setting a new record for the single methanol refueling volume in Shanghai Port.

Since the successful completion of China’s first ship LNG simultaneous bunkering operation in March 2022, Shanghai SIPG Energy Service’s bonded LNG bunkering business has developed rapidly. 

In 2024, Shanghai Port’s international ships completed 462,000 m3 of LNG bunkering, a year-on-year increase of 75%. 

Photo credit: David Yu from Pixabay
Published: 19 February, 2025