Recently, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd (CIMC SOE), a subsidiary of CIMC Enric Holdings Limited (CIMC Enric), signed a contract with Singaporean shipowner Purus for the construction of two 18,900 cbm LNG bunkering vessels, and a contract with GSX Energy for the construction of two 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessels. The contract with GSX Energy includes two option vessels.
Two 18,900 cbm LNG bunkering vessels finalized
It is understood that the 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessel maintains an overall length under 140 meters, equipped with two IMO Type C tanks. The high-pressure storage design significantly enhances operational flexibility and economic efficiency. Featuring ultra-low methane escape rate engines and high-voltage shore power systems, these vessels substantially reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, fully meeting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) emission reduction requirements.
To achieve the exceptional maneuverability of these LNG bunkering vessels, CIMC Enric developed a dual-fuel diesel-electric propulsion (DFDE) solution. This includes shortening the overall length (LOA), equipping the vessels with two high-power bow thrusters, and implementing specialized hull form optimization. These measures significantly enhance operational efficiency during low-speed, short-range operations.
The two vessels contracted with Purus will reportedly be leased to Shell to support the expansion of its LNG bunkering capacity. As global carbon reduction efforts accelerate, LNG’s position as a transition fuel is becoming increasingly solidified, driving market demand for efficient, low-carbon bunkering infrastructure. Upon delivery, these vessels will significantly enhance Shell’s LNG bunkering network in Singapore, Europe, and key global ports, enabling more vessels to transition from traditional fuels to clean energy.
Establish a New Benchmark for 20,000 cbm LNG Bunkering Vessels
In another significant development, CIMC SOE and GSX Energy officially signed a contract for the construction of two 20,000 cbm LNG bunker vessels. As a key player in the shipping industry’s green transformation, GSX Energy, based on its strategic assessment of the long-term growth potential of the LNG bunker vessel market, chose to partner with CIMC SOE, a leading international LNG bunker vessel shipyard, to jointly promote low-carbon development in the global shipping industry.
The vessels ordered by GSX Energy will further solidify the company’s leading position in the global green shipping sector. Formed by a consortium of internationally renowned shipping enterprises, GSX Energy maintains a long-term optimistic outlook on the development prospects of the LNG bunkering vessel market. Through this order, CIMC SOE will systematically evaluate market feedback on LNG bunkering vessels with different configurations, providing empirical evidence for subsequent product optimization.
Purus and GSX Energy’s joint selection of CIMC Enric as their partner not only reflects their high standards for LNG bunkering vessel construction quality, but also further demonstrates CIMC Enric’s technological competitiveness in global green shipping services.
With the signing of four LNG bunkering vessel orders, CIMC Enric is expected to achieve record revenue in its LNG bunkering vessel business in 2025. In the first half of 2025, CIMC Enric delivered nine ocean-going vessels, with a planned 18 deliveries for the full year. By the end of the third quarter, the value of newly signed orders for these vessels exceeded RMB 8 billion (approximately US$1.121 billion). These orders will undoubtedly provide strong momentum for CIMC Enric’s full-year performance.