Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has held a naming ceremony for the second LNG bunkering vessel owned by Japan’s MOL and chartered by France’s TotalEnergies.
The naming ceremony for the 18,600-cbm Gas Vitality took place on Tuesday.
Hudong will soon hand over the vessel to MOL and TotalEnergies, prior to its maiden voyage to France.
The yard started building this LNG bunkering vessel in late April last year and held a keel-laying ceremony in August. The vessel completed its gas trials off Shanghai in July.
The 135 meters long vessel has similar specifications as its sister ship, Gas Agility, which already works for TotalEnergies from the Dutch port of Rotterdam.
World’s largest LNG bunkering vessels
MOL and TotalEnergies claim these are the world’s largest LNG bunkering vessels.
Both of the LNG bunkering ships feature GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system and Wartsila’s dual-fuel propulsion.
In addition, Gas Vitality will incorporate enhanced equipment boosting its bunkering efficiency and flexibility to supply LNG to a wide range of vessels across various segments and sizes, according to TotalEnergies.
These improved features include an additional bow thruster, upgraded cargo pumps and high duty compressors, as well as a pressure reduction system to optimize bunkering operations of Type C tank vessels under all conditions.
France’s first LNG bunkering ship
Following its arrival in France in December, Gas Vitality will be stationed in the Marseille-Fos area in France to serve the Mediterranean region.
It would be the first LNG bunkering vessel to be based in France, TotalEnergies previously said.
Furthermore, the Bureau Veritas-classed vessel will fuel CMA CGM’s containerships and MSC Cruises’ upcoming LNG-powered cruise ships that call at the French port.
V.Ships France will operate the vessel under the French flag.
