Seaspan Energy on Monday (7 October) said it took delivery of its first LNG bunkering vessel, the Seaspan Garibaldi and is currently sailing to Vancouver.

Manifold Times previously reported that the vessel is the first of three 7,600m3 LNG bunkering vessels and it is named after Mount Garibaldi, or “Nch'ḵay̓”.

The Garibaldi will take first cargo and finalise commissioning in Vancouver before its first ship-to-ship bunkering in Long Beach, where Seaspan will provide Simultaneous Operations to bunker a series of vessels.

Following its first bunkering, the Seaspan Garibaldi will continue to provide low-carbon solutions to vessels on the West Coast of North America and will soon be joined by Seaspan Energy’s second LNG bunkering vessel, the Seaspan Lions (Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíkn).

The Seaspan Garibaldi is 112.8 metres in length, 18.6 metres in width, 5 metres in draft, with a design speed of 13 knots.

CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE), a small-scale gas carrier shipyard in the world, was appointed to build all three LNG bunkering vessels.

Related: Seaspan launches “Seaspan Garibaldi”, first of three LNG bunkering vessels

 

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 9 October, 2024

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Tuesday (8 October) reported that active LNG-fuelled vessels now account for more than 2% of the global shipping fleet. 

Once the order book is taken into account, this number increases to 4% by vessel numbers or 6% by deadweight tonnage (DWT). Almost every day brings new announcements of fleet owner investments in LNG-fuelled vessels.  

Numbers have grown from 21 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation in 2010, many of them smaller ships operating regionally, to 590 in operation globally today, including the world’s largest container ships twice the size of any operating in 2010. 

With a further 564 on order, the total number of LNG-powered vessels in operation by the end of 2028 will be 1,154. Added to these are 772 LNG carriers in operation, with a further 341 on order at the end of 2023. This means that over 2,000 of the world’s 60,000 largest vessels are LNG-powered. 

In addition, according to DNV, LNG dual-fuel vessels make up one third of the new build order book. If DWT is used, the LNG-powered fleet in operation and on order of 142.5Mt DWT represents 6% of the world’s total 2,224 Mt DWT.

Peter Keller, Chairman, SEA-LNG, said: “It is gratifying that LNG is finally gaining favour amongst so many shipowners. LNG is the only practical and realistic alternative fuel pathway available today – even for those shipowners that may also be considering other such pathways.”

“While we have always said that a basket of fuels will be required for shipping to meet the 2050 emissions reduction targets, the rationale for the LNG pathway remains unchanged.”

“The LNG pathway using liquefied biomethane and eventually hydrogen-based e-methane currently provides the only viable option to making progress towards 2050, starting with immediate carbon reductions, now. LNG also continues to help solve critical local emissions and health related environmental concerns.”

In support of this expansion in LNG dual fuel vessels, SEA-LNG said LNG bunkers are currently available in 185 ports, with an additional 50 being added next year. 

“The bunkering vessel fleet has increased from a single vessel in 2010 to 60 in operation today, with a further 13 on order and significant interest in the maritime community to continue to invest in these needed assets,” it added. 

 

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 8 October, 2024

Hercules Tanker Management (HTM) on Friday (4 October) announced that it will start receiving four new ‘ultra-spec’ tankers in Q2 2025 and will be time-chartered to Peninsula. 

HTM, the new shipping venture launched by John A. Bassadone, founder and CEO of independent marine fuel supplier Peninsula, said the vessels will be part of Peninsula’s fleet modernisation programme and will have the ability to supply methanol as well as 100% biofuel. 

HTM commissioned the 7,700 DWT new build IMO II Chemical Tankers from the Jiangmen Hangtong Shipyard in China. These vessels will be delivered at three-month intervals with the first vessel to be delivered by Q2 2025.

Further enhanced specs include diesel-electric and battery-ready power units, reducing emissions by around 20% compared to other conventional product tankers. Twin engine with Schottel propulsion significantly improves manoeuvrability and safety during STS or loading operations.

 The near-term launch of methanol ready tonnage will help Peninsula service rapid growth in the global methanol-powered fleet, which is anticipated to rise by over 250% in the next 4 years. HTM’s foresight in recognising this demand growth is particularly relevant given the continued lack of shipyard slots. 

John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of both Peninsula and Hercules Tanker Management, said “The partnership between HTM and Peninsula allows us to build ships which cater for customer needs thus de-risking construction whilst maintaining full flexibility.”

“This model ensures our assets optimise efficiency and remain relevant. It was perhaps perceived as a risk when HTM was first-to-market with these orders over 2 years ago, but we always had the confidence, driven by Peninsula’s global customer reach, that these ships have an important future role to play in alternative fuel supply.”

Related: Peninsula founder launches shipping firm Hercules Tanker Management
Related: Hercules Tanker Management orders LNG bunkering vessel from Hyundai Mipo

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 7 October, 2024