LNG Bunkering

Baleària adds LNG-fuelled converted ferry “Napoles” to fleet

LNG-fuelled Napoles conversion possibly the most complex and demanding ever undertaken, says Gibdock.

Published

7 years ago

May 13, 2019

Admin

Gibraltar-based Gibdock shipyard in April completed a major conversion project to allow a Baleària ferry to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel.

The three-month project to convert the Napoles is possibly the most complex and demanding ever undertaken by the yard, it says.

The 186m long Napoles is the first of five ships that Baleària plans to convert to dual fuel operations to comply with IMO sulphur cap regulations. Gibdock has already secured a contract to convert a second vessel, Sicilia, which is due to arrive at the yard later this year.

“Baleària is a longstanding client for scheduled repair and maintenance work, so it made perfect sense to carry out the conversion at Gibdock,” said Richard Beards, Managing Director, Gibdock.

“We are delighted to have been entrusted with this landmark project, which was a first for us and for Baleària; the experience will ensure that the Sicilia conversion goes even more smoothly.”

Napoles arrived at Gibdock on 15 November 2018, with the yard already having pre-fabricated two LNG bunker fuel reception stations for later installation. The majority of subsequent work took place alongside the yard’s main repair wharf, with some elements of the LNG conversion undertaken in Gibdock’s Panamax size Dock No.1. The project required extensive modifications to Deck 1 to accommodate 200 tonne, 27m x 6m diameter LNG fuel tank from Wärtsilä. Gibdock also cropped Decks 5 through to 2 to create a route through which to lower the 400m3 capacity tank.

Another key element of the project was the modification of the MAN 9L 48/60-A main engines, which was undertaken by engineers from MAN Primeserv. Now designated 9L 51/60DFF, Gibdock assisted modifications made by the manufacturer with auxiliary pipework and steel structures in connection with reassembly, also fitting specialised valves, a compressor and generator unit. Extensive automation system and cabling work was also carried out by Gibdock technicians.

After its departure, Napoles began working on a new passenger and Spanish freight route connecting Huelva and the Canary Islands.

“We already have substantial experience with ballast water treatment and scrubber retrofits, and now we have an LNG dual conversion under our belt,” says Beards.

“Our range of solutions for forthcoming IMO regulatory changes is comprehensive in suiting any vessel type, age and route profile.”

Photo credit: Gibdock
Published: 13 May, 2019

LNG Bunkering

Bunkering vessel “Avenir Advantage” completes first LNG delivery to cruise ship

Ship delivered LNG to Royal Caribbean Group’s “Icon of the Seas” in Honduras, marking its first LNG bunkering operation for the cruise line and expanding small-scale LNG supply in the Caribbean.

Published

21 hours ago

August 20, 2026

Admin

Bunkering vessel “Avenir Advantage” completes first LNG delivery to cruise ship

Bunker supplier Avenir LNG on Wednesday (19 August) said its bunkering vessel Avenir Advantage has completed its first LNG bunkering delivery to Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise ship, Icon of the Seas in Honduras, marking a milestone for the company’s LNG supply operations in the Caribbean.

The company said the operation supports the cruise industry’s transition towards lower-emission marine fuels while demonstrating the flexibility of small-scale LNG infrastructure in the region.

Avenir LNG thanked Axpo Group, the vessel’s crew, shore teams, port stakeholders and other partners involved in the operation.

The company added that it aims to support further safe and reliable LNG deliveries in the future.

Photo credit: Avenir LNG
Published: 20 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Amazónica LNG joins SEA-LNG as coalition expands into South America

SEA-LNG announces the membership of Amazónica LNG, a Colombian LNG import, storage and regasification company developing bunkering-ready infrastructure on the country’s Caribbean coast.

Published

2 days ago

August 19, 2026

Admin

Amazónica LNG joins SEA-LNG as coalition expands into South America

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Tuesday (18 August) announced the membership of Amazónica LNG, a Colombian LNG import, storage and regasification company developing bunkering-ready infrastructure on the country’s Caribbean coast.

Amazónica LNG is a joint venture between port logistics specialist Retramar and private equity investor Affinity Energy. The company operates the Palermo LNG terminal in Sitio Nuevo, Magdalena, on Colombia’s Caribbean coast near Barranquilla, combining a floating storage unit with regasification and small-scale LNG distribution capability.

Cartagena and Barranquilla have a focus on cargo and cruise activity along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. In 2025, CONTECAR and the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Cartagena together handled over 4 million TEUs of containerised cargo. This is around 63% of all containerised cargo handled by Colombia’s public-service port companies.

The Cartagena Cruise Terminal serves 34 cruise lines, while the Sociedad Portuaria Regional de Barranquilla handled approximately 3.5 million tonnes of cargo in 2025. Together, these showcase the scale of maritime activity that will support the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure in the Colombian Caribbean.

Within this context, LNG offers an immediate route to decarbonisation that is available today, helping the maritime value chain reduce greenhouse gas and local air emissions. It also gives the sector a pathway to meet increasingly demanding international decarbonisation requirements over time, as compatible vessels and infrastructure enable the shift to liquefied biomethane and e-methane.

Alberto Consuegra, CEO of Amazónica LNG, said: “The opportunity for Amazónica LNG is focused firmly on unlocking LNG as a practical transition fuel for the region. We make this possible by further advancing shipping decarbonisation as Cartagena and the Colombian Caribbean establish themselves as a future-ready bunkering hub serving Latin America and the wider Caribbean. Joining SEA-LNG will help us expand our network and join a coalition of first movers who are dedicated to advancing the methane decarbonisation pathway.”

Steve Esau, COO of SEA-LNG, added: “Amazónica LNG’s membership extends SEA-LNG’s reach into Latin America at a pivotal moment, growing the infrastructure which is critical for methane’s global adoption. As decarbonisation requirements tighten across international shipping, Amazónica LNG’s infrastructure on Colombia’s Caribbean coast will accelerate the adoption of the methane pathway.”

LNG bunkering infrastructure continues to expand rapidly worldwide, with LNG now available at more than 220 ports globally, and LNG-fuelled vessels accounting for almost 90% of all alternative-fuel ships currently on order.

Amazónica LNG’s membership adds Latin American port and terminal expertise to a coalition dedicated to the growth of global methane marine fuel value chain spanning owners, ports, fuel producers, OEMs, insurers, classification societies that enables the transition to sustainable shipping.

Photo credit: Amazónica LNG
Published: 19 August, 2026

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: Eastern Pacific Shipping hits 700 LNG bunkering milestone

Since commencing LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, the company said it has completed a total LNG bunkering volume of 2,920,191 cubic metres.

Published

3 days ago

August 18, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Eastern Pacific Shipping hits 700 LNG bunkering milestone

Singapore-based shipping firm Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) on Monday (17 August) said the company has successfully completed its 700th LNG bunkering operation, carried out for vehicle carrier Lake Victoria in Emden, Germany.

Since commencing LNG bunkering operations in November 2020, the company said it has completed a total LNG bunkering volume of 2,920,191 cubic metres (m3).

“Reaching 700 LNG bunkering operations reflects not only the scale of our investment in alternative-fuel capabilities, but also the experience, coordination and commitment of our teams at sea and ashore,” EPS said in a social media post.

“As we continue to grow and diversify our fleet, every operation adds to the practical experience needed to support shipping’s energy transition.”

Manifold Times previously reported the company completed a total of 530 LNG bunkering operations with over 2.4 million m3 of LNG bunkered, from the start of recorded data to 31 Dec 2025.

In its 2026 ESG Report, EPS said its fleet is among the largest dual-fuel fleets in the industry, with over 170 vessels designed to operate on alternative fuels.

In 2025, 25% of the fuel consumed by EPS fleet were alternative marine fuels, including LNG, LPG, ethane, and biofuels.

Photo credit: Eastern Pacific Shipping
Published: 18 August, 2026