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Exclusive: Fratelli Cosulich in discussions with international banks for second LNG bunker tanker order

‘Maybe there is an opportunity to deploy the second LNG bunker tanker in Singapore,” Timothy Cosulich, CEO and Board Member of Fratelli Cosulich, tells Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.
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Genoa-based international shipping, shipments and logistics company Fratelli Cosulich Group is in discussions with international banks for a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker tanker order, learns Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Fratelli Cosulich on 10 May officially placed an order for the construction of its first LNG bunkering vessel; a 5,300 dwt newbuilding built at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China capable of transporting over 8,000 m3 of LNG and 500 m3 of MGO for bunkering.

The USD 45 million order from the shipyard comes with an option for another sistership which Fratelli Cosulich is keen to exercise, shares Timothy Cosulich, CEO and Board Member of Fratelli Cosulich.

“This is one of the biggest investments we have ever done. Being an Italian company we had many Italian banks keen on financing this deal [for the first order] and we were positively impressed by the key interest and financial support we received from these banks,” he says.

“Further, we managed to get a subsidy from the European Union for this investment which they consider to be important and strategic from an environmental point of view. We are heartened to know there are government institutions supporting our project.

“Now, the shipyard has offered us an option to order an additional LNG bunker tanker. We are in discussions with international banks to finance this [second] order.”

Fratelli Cosulich’s first LNG bunkering tanker will be deployed in the Mediterranean due to the commercial rationale that the region will be a good market for bunkering passenger vessels – which are increasingly adopting the use of LNG as a marine fuel.

“The order book for newbuildings indicates that 25-30% of vessels on order are now either dual-fuelled or LNG-ready so clearly there is a real interest in LNG. These orders are mostly containerships, large tankers, and cruise/passenger vessels so there is already a market,” he explains.

The location for the company’s second LNG bunkering tanker, however, is still undecided, according to Cosulich.

“We are evaluating different options for the second LNG bunkering tanker. We know there is demand in Northern Europe,” he reveals.

“On the other hand, we know the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has been issuing additional bunkering licences for LNG. With the growing number of LNG bunker suppliers, we also expect growing demand; maybe there is an opportunity to deploy the second LNG bunker tanker in Singapore.

“We are an Italian family business, but Singapore is clearly our second home. We have been here for more than 30 years since the 1980’s and we will be happy to increase our presence at the Republic.”

Cosulich says his company was fortunate to have accumulated experience in the handling of LNG since 15 years ago, when the firm took over the technical management of the FSRU Toscana situated off the coast of Tuscany.

As such, Fratelli Cosulich was able to utilise this knowhow into writing their own specifications for the recently ordered LNG bunkering vessel.

While acknowledging that there are short-term and long-term solutions available to help shipping achieve decarbonisation, Cosulich believes LNG is the first step in helping the maritime sector meet its sustainability goals.

“Some companies focus on investing in long-term solutions such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, batteries and I don’t think this is wrong, but these solutions are not available in the short-term,” he notes.

“We cannot wait until those solutions are available. We need to start doing something and the only available solution at scale right now, allowing for significant emissions reductions, is LNG.

“We know LNG itself is a transition fuel which might have a 20-year lifespan and if we consider bio LNG that life-span might be even longer. In the meantime, we can significantly reduce emissions in the short term with LNG – that’s why we decided to go for it.”

Moving forward, Cosulich encouraged players to take action in helping shipping achieve its decarbonisation goal.

“In shipping, most of all as an industry spend 5-10 years talking about decarbonisation and the problem is we specifically spend time talking instead of doing,” he states.

“So, I think it is important we as an industry get started doing rather than just talking about it at conferences.”

Related: Fratelli Cosulich orders USD 45 million LNG bunkering vessel for Mediterranean Sea ops

 

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 21 May, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Methanol

Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 mt annually.

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Western Baltic Engineering unveils green methanol bunkering vessel design for Klaipėda

Ship design and engineering service provider Western Baltic Engineering on Thursday (16 July) showcased its latest concept design for a green methanol bunkering vessel, developed for the operational needs of the Port of Klaipėda.

Designed for flexible operations in shallow waters and local bunkering routes, the concept features an 800-metric-tonne green methanol capacity and the potential to supply up to 250,000 metric tonnes (mt) annually. 

“It is Western Baltic Engineering’s first concept dedicated exclusively to green methanol bunkering, expanding our portfolio of alternative-fuel vessel solutions,” the company said in a social media post.

“Building on our experience in methanol-ready vessel design, it reflects our continued focus on enabling the industry’s transition to cleaner fuels.”

“As the maritime sector evolves, engineering companies have a responsibility not only to respond to market needs but also to anticipate future challenges,” said Marius Arkusauskas, Director at Western Baltic Engineering.

“By exploring emerging technologies and alternative fuel applications, we help our partners prepare for the next generation of maritime operations while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

 

Photo credit: Western Baltic Engineering
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Repsol supplied 2,800 mt of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, “Antonia Maersk”, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean.
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Repsol and Maersk wrap up first bioethanol bunkering operation in Port of Barcelona

Spanish energy company Repsol and shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) completed the first bioethanol bunkering operation in the Port of Barcelona, according to the port authority on Wednesday (15 July). 

Repsol successfully supplied 2,800 metric tonnes (mt) of bioethanol to a Maersk container vessel, Antonia Maersk, in the first bunkering operation of its kind in the Port of Barcelona and one of the first in the Mediterranean. 

The operation demonstrates growing demand for alcohol-based marine fuels, as well as the readiness of the infrastructure, logistics, and operational capabilities required to support their deployment at commercial scale. 

Juan Abascal, Repsol’s Executive Managing Director of Industrial Transformation and Circular Economy, said: “With this supply, we reaffirm our commitment to the decarbonization of maritime transport through solutions that are available today and ready to scale in the future. 

“At Repsol, we provide shipping companies with a reliable supply chain and a multi-energy strategy that combines different renewable fuels to support the sector in a safe, competitive, and sustainable transition.”

The supply took place in the Port of Barcelona under fully commercial conditions, bringing together key players across the maritime value chain and demonstrating how collaboration can accelerate the adoption of lower-emission solutions in shipping. 

The delivery was carried out by Bahía Candela, Repsol’s newest bunker vessel, operated by Mureloil and designed to supply both conventional marine fuels and next-generation energy products. 

During the bunkering operation, Bahía Candela operated using its battery system, enabling the fuel transfer to be completed with zero local emissions, and further reducing the environmental footprint of the operation. 

Prior to the bunkering, Maersk tested ethanol on one of its smaller vessels, the 1,800 TEU feeder vessel Laura Maersk, which in 2023 became the world’s first dual-fuel container vessel able to operate on methanol. Today, Maersk has 23 dual-fuel container vessels designed to operate on methanol; however, the company continues to explore ethanol as an alternative fuel for its methanol-enabled vessels. Laura Maersk has performed sailings on 100% ethanol as well as blends of ethanol and methanol. 

Emma Mazhari, Vice President Energy Markets at Maersk, said: “Following the successful ethanol trials conducted on Laura Maersk, this latest bunkering of Antonia Maersk marks another important step in our efforts to explore scalable low-emission fuel solutions. 

“As the first ethanol trial on one of our large dual-fuel vessels, with a capacity of 16,000 TEU, it allows us to deepen our understanding of ethanol’s operational potential at scale. 

“Building on the experience we have gained with methanol, we are working closely with port authorities and industry partners to develop the infrastructure and procedures needed to support ethanol bunkering. Ethanol is one of several pathways we are pursuing to diversify our future fuel portfolio and help accelerate the development of new, viable liquid marine fuel markets.”

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 20 July, 2026

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