Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) on Wednesday (16 April) announced the successful delivery of CMA CGM SEINE, a new 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HZSY). 

This milestone marked the completion of the first vessel in a four-ship series, with BV providing classification and BV Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS) providing advisory services. 

It is CMA CGM’s first LNG-powered vessel flying the Singaporean flag with a capacity of 24,000 TEU. 

It was reported that CMA CGM planned to expand its fleet and vessel tonnage, adding more vessels under the Singapore Registry of Ships. To support the transition to more sustainable fuels, CMA CGM said it would register and bunker alternative fuel vessels under the Singapore flag.

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President of CMA Ships, said: “Today’s delivery of the ‘CMA CGM SEINE’ featuring LNG as fuel at such a large scale, will remain a major landmark in the shipping world and embodies the engagement of the CMA CGM group toward an ambitious decarbonisation path, leading the way to our industry.”

Mr. Xiufeng ZHANG, Vice General Manger of Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, said: “CMA CGM SEINE, as the lead ship of the four 24,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel powered container ships ordered by CMA Ships from our company, stands as a new-generation maritime ‘Green Giant’ and ‘super cargo hauler’.”

The vessel integrates a dual-fuel propulsion system supported by GTT Mark III membrane-type LNG bunker tanks, with a total capacity of 18,600 cubic meters, designed to enhance both environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Measuring 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in beam, the vessel has a carrying capacity of 23,876 TEU and is equipped with a WinGD W12X92DF-2.0 dual-fuel main engine, incorporating the Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER) system. 

This configuration significantly reduces methane emissions and enables compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards when operating in "Diesel + iCER mode". 

BV worked closely with the engine manufacturer and the shipyard to test the parent engine and issued the Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificate, establishing a foundation for compliance across the series. The iCER system optimises energy efficiency, achieving an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reduction well beyond the IMO’s Tier III standards.

To address the critical sloshing challenges in large-volume LNG bunker tanks, BVS performed direct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The verified pressure data was provided to the design unit for structural strength checks, ensuring the safety of the cargo containment system and hull support structure.

The vessel features advanced technologies to boost operational performance and energy efficiency. Equipped with the SmartEye intelligent monitoring system and the TotalCommand full-control system, it achieves automated precision control during berthing, significantly reducing berthing time and enhancing port operations. 

Energy efficiency is further improved by applying variable frequency drive (VFD) technology to the engine room fans and seawater cooling pumps. Meanwhile, the WinGD Data Collection Monitoring (DCM) system offers real-time tracking and analysis for the dual-fuel main engine, supporting operational optimisation. 

BV also supported the upgrade of BV certified boil-off gas (BOG) compressors by conducting sea trial tests and re-issuing product certificates, facilitating seamless system commissioning and vessel delivery.

Related: CMA CGM to participate in bunkering trials of alternative fuels in Singapore

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Published: 17 April, 2025

China-based shipyard Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) on Thursday (10 April) said it successfully secured an order for a 20,000 cubic metre (m3) liquified natural gas (LNG) transport and bunkering vessel.

The company did not reveal the identity of the company which placed the order but said it was from a “European shipowner”.

This is the fifth order of the same type of ship CIMC SOE has secured. 

The LNG transport bunkering ship has a total length of 160 metres, a beam of 25 metres, and a designed speed of 15.5 knots.

The ship is not only equipped with a WINGD dual-fuel main engine with iCER technology, but also can be equipped with a high-voltage shore power system in the future, which can greatly reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during the ship's life cycle, and effectively respond to the increasingly stringent environmental protection demands of the global shipping industry.

According to the plan, the new LNG and transport bunkering vessel is scheduled to be delivered and put into operation in April 2027.

CIMC SOE said the vessel is different from traditional LNG bunkering ships as this design can function as storage, transportation, conduct ship-to-ship bunkering, and can flexibly serve port fuel supply and offshore floating storage.

“The signing of the fifth order has further consolidated CIMC SOE's leading position in the international small and medium-sized liquefied gas carrier and bunkering ship market,” the company said. 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 16 April, 2025

Tritec Marine, in partnership with Shanghai Bluesoul Environmental Technology (Bluesoul), on Monday (14 April) said it has obtained Approval in Principle (AiP) from the classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its ‘Safe Bunker' 20,000 m3 LNG bunker vessel design.

In 2024, Tritec Marine entered a collaboration with Bluesoul to tailor its patented ‘Safe Bunker’ LNG bunker vessel design by including Bluesoul’s proprietary Bastion B aluminium alloy LNG (Type B) cargo containment system.

Following the approval, Tritec Marine and Bluesoul are now conducting discussions with parties interested in Safe Bunker technology licenses for construction.

Safe Bunker differs from traditional LNG bunker vessel designs as it contains an offset accommodation unit to better prevent against vessel contact during bunker operations. Virtual mooring systems and dynamic positioning on the vessel removes the need for fixed mooring lines. 

Bluesoul’s IMO B tank is a prismatic tank equipped with anti-sloshing bulkheads. Using aluminium alloy 5083-O, this B tank is 30% lighter than the traditional stainless steel and nickel tanks, easy to scale up, and allows for increased cargo carrying capacity at comparable drafts.

The tank is covered by oxide film, does not require coating, is easier to maintain and can be used to transport LNG, Ammonia and Liquid Hydrogen.

George Mermiris, Director and General Manager, Tritec Marine, said: “The Safe Bunker vessel offers a safer bunkering solution and a platform where commercial requirements and technological innovation can blend in a cost-effective and operationally efficient manner.

“The industry is seeing a growing demand for LNG as fuel which will inevitably drive the need for more efficient bunkering operations, especially in busy maritime hubs like Shanghai or Singapore.

“The innovative nature of our bunker vessel design in combination with Bluesoul’s proprietary tank technology provide an optimal solution for the sector.”

In 2018, Tritec Marine (a subsidiary in the Northern Marine / Stena group of companies) successfully collaborated with Bluesoul on a tanker fleet exhaust gas cleaning system retrofit project and have now reunited in the LNG bunkering space.

Yongfeng Qu, Chief Scientist and Engineer, Bluesoul, said: “Having previously successfully collaborated with Tritec Marine and the Northern Marine Group, we are delighted to work together once again in the exciting and rapidly developing LNG bunker vessel space.

“Our IMO B Tank solutions are customizable, utilise anti-sloshing bulkheads, and offer a unique system which increases safety while still allowing for fast and cost-effective installation.”

Rostom Merzouki, ABS Director, Global Gas Solutions, said: “With global demand for LNG increasing, bunker vessels like the design from Tritec Marine and Bluesoul will be critical for its safe transportation and application. ABS is proud to use our record of safety leadership and expertise as the world’s leading classification society for gas carriers to support this project.”

Photo credit: Tritec Marine
Published: 15 April, 2025