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LNG Bunkering

GTT: Co-mingling of LNG bunkers from different sources ‘simply an operational issue’

LNG marine fuel does not suffer from various potential off spec and stability issues seen in marine fuel oil when mixed, confirms General Manager of GTT S.E.A.
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The co-mingling of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker fuel from different sources is safe and simply an operational issue, says the General Manager of GTT South East Asia.

Stephane Maillard confirmed the fuel composition of LNG is well-known throughout the world and the material does not suffer from potential off spec and stability issues seen in traditional marine fuel oil when mixed.

However, operators will need to be aware that different locations offer different quality of LNG (in terms of its methane number) and the additional of a new LNG bunker stem into an existing tank is expected to change when different

He was answering a question from Manifold Times on the side lines at The Impact of Maritime Digitalization on the Future of Shipping and LNG seminar organised by Ascenz Solutions on Thursday (17 January).

“You will find different LNG qualities [methane number] around the world and mixing them together is possible; it is just an operational question of how to avoid cold rollover,” he says.

“This is relative to the density of the LNG fuel or design of the tanks that allow LNG to be poured either from the top or the bottom [to avoid cold rollover]. Otherwise, there is totally no issue.”

A LNG cold rollover happens when two separate layers of different densities exist in a tank, according to the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers.

As the density of two layers approach each other, the two layers mix rapidly, and the lower layer which has been superheated gives off large amount of vapour as it rises to the surface of the tank.

The main hazard from a rollover incident is the rapid release of large amounts of vapour leading to potential over-pressurisation of the tank.

“It is common to get information of the LNG quality before any transfer operation [such as in a LNG bunkering operation] though quality in terms of methane number can change a little bit after bunkering,” informs Maillard.

“It is just the initial loading. If you still have a bit of LNG in the fuel tank and pour the new LNG bunker fuel stem inside the tank, chances of cold rollover are very low.

“But if the tank is half full and you want to top up, you have to be aware of a change in quality [methane number]; if there is very low volume of LNG bunkers in the tank initially then it is ok.

“The part which needs more attention will be the engines. Fortunately, it is common for LNG engines to be able to run effectively on a range of methane number.”

Photo credit: Ascenz
Published: 25 January, 2019
 

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Bunker Fuel

Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales drops 36% on year in Q2 2026, LNG down 13.4%

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt recorded in the same period the year before while port data showed 76,513 mt of LNG being delivered in Q2 2026, down from 88,328 mt.
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July 23, 2026

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Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Deurganck Dock

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges recently published bunker fuel sales data for the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.

Total bunker sales at the port was 2.05 million metric tonnes (mt) in Q2 2026, compared to sales of 1.99 million mt (+3%) during the similar period in 2025.

Deliveries of ultra low sulphur fuel oil, very low sulphur fuel oil, high sulphur fuel oil and marine gas oil in Q2 2026 (against on year) recorded respectively 164,987 mt (+43.6%  from 114,917 mt), 537,926 mt (+12.8% from 476,746 mt), 659,182 mt (+11.6% from 590,544 mt) and 366,329 (-15.7% from 434,766 mt).

Biofuel recorded 26,833 mt in Q2 2026 with 41,939 mt (-36%) recorded in the same period the year before. 

Port data showed 76,513 mt of liquefied natural gas (LNG) being delivered as a marine fuel in Q2 2026, down by 13.4% from 88,328 mt in Q2 2025. Meanwhile, there has been no deliveries of methanol at the port for the year so far.

Related: Antwerp-Bruges biofuel bunker sales plunge 50.6% on year in Q1 2026, LNG soars 214%

 

Photo credit: Port of Antwerp-Bruges
Published: 23 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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