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LNG Bunkering

SeaspanLNG secures approval in principle with Bureau Veritas for 7600cbm LNG bunker vessel

LNG bunker vessel has been designed for ship-to-ship LNG transfer as well as coastal/short sea shipping operations by Seaspan Ferries’ partner Vard Marine Inc.

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SeaspanLNG, a subsidiary of Canadian maritime firm Seaspan Marine Transportation, on Tuesday (20 April) announced it has secured an Approval in Principle (AIP) with Bureau Veritas, for the design of a 7600cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel.

The LNG bunker vessel has been designed for ship-to-ship LNG transfer as well as coastal/short sea shipping operations by Seaspan Ferries’ partner Vard Marine Inc.  

Seaspan Ferries’ dual fuel hybrid electric ferries were developed by Vard in 2014 and includes a new method of bunkering the vessels.

This successful working relationship led to the creation of a new line of Vard 9 series LNG bunker vessels, focused on safe, efficient and economical refuelling of multiple ship types as well as an ability to transfer to and from a wide range of terminals.

Major emphasis has been placed on the ability to incorporate emerging technologies, increase electric storage system (ESS) capacity, and further operational emissions and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions while maintaining operability and flexibility.

It is fitted with two azimuth thrusters and two bow thrusters for exceptional maneuvering and station-keeping capabilities. The principle characteristics of the vessel include:

  • Length Overall (LOA) 112.8m
  • Breadth 18.6m
  • Design draft 5m
  • Design speed of 13 knots

SeaspanLNG will now advance efforts for vessel construction and engage with major stakeholders in current and emerging markets, including port authorities and flag states.

“Seaspan is proud to collaborate and partner with Vard and Bureau Veritas for the Approval in Principle of this advanced and highly maneuverable 7600cbm LNG bunker vessel which is designed specifically for our business areas,” says Harly Penner, Director of Fleet Engineering and Vessel Development.

“Seaspan is committed to bringing clean LNG bunkers to the West Coast of North America through our LNG bunkering business, in order to assist ship owners in meeting their IMO2030 targets,” says Gord Miller, Vice President.

“Vard Marine is pleased to once again be partnering with Seaspan on environmental innovation in ship design with the Vard 9 511 LNG Bunker Vessel. Environmental stewardship is one of Vard’s core values, pursued in facilities management, internal process, and product development. With this AIP, the Vard 9 511 is the ideal solution to solve the gap in LNG bunkering infrastructure in the Asia Pacific Gateway. We look forward to working again with the Seaspan Ferries team,” says Wade Carson, CEO, Vard Marine Inc.

“This comprehensive AIP now enables a detailed design to be developed addressing classification, statutory and operational requirements. The development of LNG bunkering vessels is still relatively new, and Bureau Veritas has built considerable experience through multiple projects with different containment and gas handling systems – from the smallest to the very largest LNG bunkering vessels. Bureau Veritas is delighted to support the vision and leadership of Seaspan and Vard towards decarbonization of the marine industry on the West Coast of North America,” says Tim Protheroe, Regional Chief Executive for North America, Bureau Veritas.

 

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 26 April, 2021

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: FueLNG achieves 800th LNG bunkering operation milestone

Bunker tanker “FUELNG Venosa” delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier “MV Ubuntu Humanity” at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July.

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Singapore: FueLNG completes 800th LNG bunkering operation

Singapore’s licensed LNG bunker supplier FueLNG on Friday (17 July) announced the successful completion of its 800th LNG bunkering operation in the republic.

The company said bunker tanker FUELNG Venosa delivered LNG marine fuel to bulk carrier MV Ubuntu Humanity at Eastern Bunkering A Anchorage (AEBA) on 11 July. 

“This achievement is more than just a number,” FueLNG said.

“It reflects the trust our customers place in us, the dedication of our operations team, the professionalism of our marine partners, and our unwavering commitment to safe, efficient, and reliable bunker deliveries.” 

Manifold Times previously reported FueLNG completing its 500th LNG ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operation.

Related: Singapore: FueLNG achieves milestone of 500th STS LNG bunkering operation

 

Photo credit: FueLNG
Published: 20 July, 2026

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Alternative Fuels

SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

The industry coalition says LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production, all continue to grow in 2026.

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SEA-LNG: LNG, biomethane bunkering continue to grow despite geopolitical uncertainty

Industry coalition SEA-LNG on Thursday (16 July) published its 2026 Mid-Year Market Review. 

It provides a snapshot of the current market conditions facing the methane pathway, with particular focus on the growth of liquefied biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG). This report comes as SEA-LNG celebrates its tenth anniversary and gains provisional consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to analysis of vessel orders from January to June 2026 from SEA-LNG member DNV, LNG dual-fuel orders remain robust at 73 vessels, accounting for almost 90% of the alternatively fuelled order book, when compared with ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. Additionally, there are now 67 LNG bunker vessels in operation, plus 42 more on order.

The LNG order book continues to be dominated by vessels serving liner trades especially container vessels and pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). This is consistent with recent analysis by the World Shipping Council which shows that LNG remains the preferred fuel for container ship owners, accounting for 58% of total tonnage ordered versus conventional fuels at 36%.

There was also an increase in bunkering volumes and infrastructure. According to analysis by Kpler, global LNG bunker volumes were around 770,000 cubic meters (m3) per month in the period January to May 2026. This represents an increase of about 13% on the same period in 2025 as more LNG fuelled vessels have entered into operation together with favourable LNG and conventional fuel prices.

Liquefied biomethane is bunkered routinely today, and liquefied e-methane is in development. Since the introduction of regulations like FuelEU Maritime, LBM supply and demand have grown significantly. Data from the European Biogas Association show biomethane production capacity reached 8.2 bcm a year by the end of Q2 2026. This represents an additional 1 bcm in a single year, or growth of 17%. The number of operational biogas plants rose from 1,678 to 1,975 plants with €36 billion of allocated capital investment driving the sector.

Steve Esau, SEA-LNG COO, said: “Despite geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties in 2026, the industry is maintaining momentum on the methane decarbonisation pathway. This year’s mid-year review confirms that methane is the practical and realistic solution for shipping decarbonisation. 

“This is reflected in the growing numbers of LNG-fuelled vessels, LNG bunker vessels, and LNG bunkering volumes, as well as biomethane bunkering and production growth. As we look ahead, with e-methane also materialising, we are confident in the trajectory of the methane pathway to decarbonisation.”

SEA-LNG is active at the IMO and EU to underline the importance of goal-based and technology-neutral decarbonisation regulations, and ensure a global market for low and net zero fuels. As the methane pathway continues to mature, efforts have shifted from raising awareness to sharing members’ collective expertise on important technical details that will, for example, further reduce global well-to-wake emissions and scale up bio- and e-methane development and deployment.

As part of these efforts, last week SEA-LNG was granted provisional consultative status at the IMO. This status will enable SEA-LNG to engage directly with Members States as it advocates for practical and realistic regulations to help move the maritime industry forward.

Peter Keller, SEA-LNG Chairman, said: “I have been with SEA-LNG since we founded it 10 years ago, and what strikes me is how methane has ramped up from a pathway to a clear runway for shipping decarbonisation. When building the first LNG-powered containership, I didn’t imagine that within ten years over 10% of the global fleet by deadweight could be powered by methane. 

“What started as a solution to reduce harmful local emissions has cemented itself as the practical and realistic option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions today and into the future. As I look ahead, the fundamentals are strong, the orderbook is growing, the bunkering infrastructure is expanding at a record pace, and biomethane and e-methane are building on LNG’s foundation. Just as we expected.”

Note: SEA-LNG’s Methane Pathway – 2026 mid-year market review can be viewed here.

 

Photo credit: SEA-LNG
Published: 17 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

Baleària ferry completes first LNG bunkering operation in Las Palmas

Company made the first supply of LNG to the “Mercedes Pinto” in its usual berth, located on ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela dock, in the Port of Las Palmas.

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Baleària ferry completes first LNG bunkering operation in Las Palmas

Spanish shipping company Baleària on Tuesday (14 July) said the first LNG bunkering operation of its ferry has completed in the Port of Las Palmas.

On Monday, the company made the first supply of LNG to the Mercedes Pinto in its usual berth, located on ramp 4 of the Nelson Mandela dock, in the Port of Las Palmas, removing the need to change to another berth for the operation. 

“The operation carried out normally, after the review of all safety protocols by the Fire Department and the Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas,” it said in a social media post. 

 

Photo credit: Baleària
Published: 16 July, 2026

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