The Capital Group, led by Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis, and the French shipping giant CMA CGM are advancing plans to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessels and have signed a preliminary construction agreement with a Chinese shipyard.
In late 2025, Capital Group and CMA CGM established a joint venture with plans to commission the construction of LNG bunkering vessels; these new vessels are expected to be chartered on a long-term basis to the energy giant TotalEnergies for operation.
Sources close to the partners have confirmed that Capital Group and CMA CGM have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) for the construction of two LNG bunkering vessels. While the specifications for the new vessels have not yet been finalized, industry estimates suggest they will be of the 20,000-cubic-meter class.
According to data disclosed in early February by CIMC SOE, the shipyard currently holds orders for 10 LNG bunkering vessels with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters, and three with a capacity of 18,900 cubic meters.
According to its official website, CIMC SOE is an international engineering company specializing in high-end equipment, including liquefied gas carriers and liquid cargo systems, LNG/LEG/LPG cargo tanks and fuel tanks, offshore modules, and offshore wind power equipment. Founded in 2006, the company joined CIMC Enric in August 2017, becoming a member of the “Energy, Chemical, and Food Equipment” sector within the CIMC Group.
It is understood that Capital Group, CMA CGM, and TotalEnergies—all of whom have placed orders with CIMC SOE as part of this collaboration—are staunch supporters of the LNG market.
The Capital Group is one of the world’s largest operators of LNG carriers; its U.S.-listed subsidiary, Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp, holds a substantial orderbook for new vessels. CMA CGM has also ordered numerous LNG-powered vessels and, last year, established a 50/50 joint venture with TotalEnergies to develop and operate an LNG bunkering platform at the Port of Rotterdam.