On November 3, an 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel, the “Monte Shams,” built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding for Total, was successfully named. The vessel is owned by the Spanish shipping company IBAIZABAL and operated by TotalEnergies.
The “Monte Shams” is scheduled for delivery this year. It will provide bunkering services to various types of vessels at the Port of Sohar in the Sultanate of Oman, playing a pivotal role within the Middle East’s first major LNG bunkering hub. Construction of its sister vessel, the H1931A, began this June, with delivery slated for early 2028.
Hudong-Zhonghua has previously delivered two 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessels to Total. The vessel named on this occasion, “Monte Shams”, represents the latest V3.0 version of the 18,600-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel design. It measures 135.9 meters in length, 24.5 meters in breadth, and 16 meters in depth, and is classed by Bureau Veritas (BV).
Notably, this vessel marks the 100th LNG-related unit undertaken by Hudong-Zhonghua. Independently developed and designed by the company, it offers a broader range of bunkering capabilities and superior performance metrics, reaching a world-leading standard. The vessel features enhanced ship-to-shore compatibility, lower energy consumption and emissions, and improved energy efficiency and environmental performance.
Currently, Hudong-Zhonghua holds orders for nearly 60 LNG carriers, with production schedules extending beyond 2030. The company is fully committed to projects aimed at consolidating and expanding its production capacity, establishing a dual-site operational framework. A world-leading, large-scale shipbuilding and assembly base is taking shape, capable of producing high-end vessels, including large and ultra-large LNG carriers as well as container ships.
Meanwhile, Hudong-Zhonghua is vigorously promoting the deep integration of artificial intelligence and intelligent manufacturing technologies throughout its entire shipbuilding process. It was recently included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s list of “pioneering-level” intelligent factory projects for 2026—the only enterprise from China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) to be selected.