With the LNG bunkering vessel sector gaining significant momentum, Capital Gas—owned by Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis—has formed a joint venture with French shipping giant CMA CGM and energy major TotalEnergies to construct LNG bunkering vessels.
Shipbroking sources indicate that Capital Gas, CMA CGM, and TotalEnergies are planning to order LNG bunkering vessels from Chinese shipyards, though details such as the number of vessels and selected shipyards remain undisclosed.
The three companies entering into this partnership are all staunch supporters of the LNG market. According to information on Capital Gas’s official website, as a ship management service provider, the company currently operates 18 modern LNG carriers, including vessels under construction.
CMA CGM has also ordered several LNG powered vessels and recently established a joint venture with TotalEnergies to develop and operate an LNG bunkering platform in the Port of Rotterdam. The partners plan to deploy one 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel through this joint venture by the end of 2028, providing fuel bunkering services for CMA CGM’s fleet and other shipping companies in the region.
Additionally, TotalEnergies has participated in the charter of two 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessels ordered by Spanish shipowner IBAIZABAL from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.
Driven by the robust growth momentum in the LNG bunkering industry, multiple joint ventures have been established in the LNG bunkering vessel market, with traditional shipping companies actively seeking partnerships to support market expansion.
Despite ongoing debates about future alternative fuels, LNG continues to dominate during the energy transition. Over the past few months, investment in new LNG bunkering vessels has been steadily rising.
Since September, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) has secured orders for six LNG bunkering vessels across two types: 2+2 units from GSX Energy and 2 units from Singapore’s Purus. Additionally, a joint venture established by Celsius Tankers and The Caravel Group has placed an order for two LNG bunkering vessels with China Merchants Heavy Industries Haimen shipyard (CMHI Haimen shipyard).
Multiple shipowners including IBAIZABAL, H-Line, Evalend Shipping, Somtrans, Shanghai International Port Group, and Zhongneng LNG Bunkering have placed orders for LNG bunkering vessels this year.
Analysts attribute this surge in orders to the anticipated growth of LNG dual-fuel fleets. Observers note that over 1,150 LNG dual-fuel vessels are expected to enter service by 2028, with LNG bunkering demand projected to exceed 50 million tons per year by 2045. This trend underscores the urgent need to build modern, compliant bunkering infrastructure.