China's Jiangnan Shipyard on Tuesday (22 April) said it successfully secured a contract to construct a new LNG bunkering vessel for SIPG Energy Shanghai (SIPG Energy), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). 

The order marked Jiangnan Shipyard’s return to the type C gas tank market after two years and has entered the LNG bunkering ship market.

The vessel will be equipped with three IMO type C LNG cargo tanks with a total capacity of 20,000 cubic metres. 

It will be equipped with full-revolving electric propulsion system, bow thruster, GCU, high-load compressor, smart ship and other advanced equipment, which can meet the requirements of NOx Tier III, achieve near-zero SOx emissions, and reduce CO2 greenhouse gases by about 20%. 

This ship will be used for ship-to-ship bunkering, ship-to-shore supply and reverse transfer, offers BOG treatment, operation volume trade measurement and calorific value analysis of LNG receiving ships of various types, and can provide inerting, cold tank and gas test services for LNG-powered ships.

According to the construction plan, Jiangnan Shipyard is scheduled to deliver the vessel to SIPG Energy in the first half of 2027.

SIPG Energy's fleet includes the LNG bunkering vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai and green methanol bunkering vessel Hai Gang Zhi Yuan. 

“We believe that with the shipbuilding strength of Jiangnan Shipyard and the rich bunkering experience of SIPG Energy, the two parties will be able to work together to achieve a strong alliance and jointly build LNG bunkering vessels with advanced indicators and excellent performance, and help build green ports and green shipping corridors,” the shipyard said. 

Photo credit: Jiangnan Shipyard
Published: 23 April, 2025

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding on Tuesday (22 April) said its shipyard in China successfully completed the first block loading for its first 5,900TEU methanol-fuelled containership, which is the largest of this ship type built by the company, on 16 April.

In addition to the enhanced hull form and MT-FAST, the company’s innovative energy-saving technology, the integration of a large-capacity shaft generator has enabled this dual-fuel vessel to achieve both optimal loading performance and exceptional fuel economy when compared with fuel oil vessels in the same segment. 

MT-FAST is an energy-saving device that improves propulsion efficiency by approximately 4% by regulating water flow through the installation of multiple fins in front of the propeller. It was developed jointly with MTI of the NYK Group.

The vessel has been developed based on the concept of a final solution for the zero CO₂ emission vessel through the use of green methanol. Therefore, not only the main engine but also all on-board generators, HiMSEN engine which will be supplied by HD Hyundai, can be methanol-fuelled. 

This makes it possible to achieve carbon neutrality with the exception of a small amount of pilot fuel. Furthermore, the vessel is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to receive large-capacity alternative maritime power supplies. 

“In addition, the generators can be deactivated during anchorage, thereby achieving zero CO₂ emissions. We will continue to promote the further practical application of methanol-fuelled vessels with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality in the future,” the company said.

Additionally, the Japan-based shipbuilder said its yard in the Philippines has successfully completed the first block loading for its first methanol dual-fuelled Kamsarmax bulk carrier on 21 April at THI Slipway No.2 . 

The vessel is scheduled to be launched in July 2025 and delivered in January 2026.

It is the first methanol-fuelled vessel in the Kamsarmax series, a long-standing series of vessels built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding, which reached the 400-vessel milestone in July 2024.

By using methanol for propulsion, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding said the vessel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 10%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 80% and sulphur oxide emissions by 99% during voyages compared to conventional models. 

Photo credit: Tsuneishi Shipbuilding
Published: 23 April, 2025

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding. 

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard 

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025