Marine Link
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Gas Carriers News

14 Mar 2024

NYK and Astomos Energy Christen New Jointly-Owned Dual-Fuel LPG Carrier

Gas Garnet vessel (Credit: NYK)

As their first jointly owned liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier in 21 years, NYK and Astomos Energy have named the new vessel Gas Garnet.The companies held a naming ceremony at the Sakaide Works of Kawasaki Heavy Industries on March 1, 2024.The 86,953 m3 capacity vessel was christened Gas Garnet by Yoshihito Takahashi, senior executive officer of Astomos Energy. This is the first jointly owned LPG vessel by the companies after they shared ownership of Gas Capricorn from 2003.The vessel has a breadth of 37.2 meters…

05 Mar 2024

Predictive Tech Could Extend Tank Inspection Intervals on LNG Carriers

© Wojciech Wrzesień / Adobe Stock

Inspection intervals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier membrane tanks could be safely extended thanks to monitoring technology and predictive maintenance, according to a study led by GTT Group, Lloyd’s Register and Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited.The International Gas Carriers (IGC) Code and IACS UR Z16 rules require LNG carrier cargo tanks to be inspected internally every five years. This joint study explored whether this interval could be extended…

08 Feb 2024

Wärtsilä Books Ammonia Fuel System Order for Two Exmar Gas Carriers

3D rendering of the Exmar LPG’s ammonia dual-fuel mid-size gas carrier (Credit: Exmar)

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, will deliver the fuel supply system for Exmar’s two new medium size gas carriers that will operate with ammonia fuel.The ships are being built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) in Korea for ship owner Danish shipowner Exmar LPG, a joint venture between Exmar, a multi-disciplinary maritime and offshore solutions provider, and Seapeak, one of the largest independent owner-operators of liquefied natural gas vessels.These…

10 Jan 2024

Pertamina Aims to Add Six VLGCs in 2024

© faishalabdula / Adobe Stock

Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), a unit of Indonesian state energy company Pertamina, said on Wednesday it plans to add six new very large gas carriers (VLGC) in 2024 as it eyes fleet expansion focused on gas transport.The company this week launched two VLGCs, built by South Korea's Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, and each vessel has a 91,000 cubic metres capacity, which PIS said is among the biggest in the world.The two vessels were designed to transport liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as ammonia, PIS said in a statement."We plan to add six VLGCs in 2024, starting from the two VL

19 Dec 2023

Some LNG Carriers Avoiding the Red Sea as Attacks Increase

© Wojciech Wrzesień / Adobe Stock

Several liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels have changed their courses in recent days to avoid the Red Sea region amid maritime attacks by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis on the world's main East-West trade route.The Red Sea is linked to the Mediterranean by the Suez Canal, creating the shortest shipping route between Europe and Asia, and is connected to the Gulf of Aden by the Bab-el-Mandeb strait between Yemen and Djibouti. About 12% of world shipping traffic transits the canal.But attacks in recent days on ships along the route have led companies such as oil major BP…

19 Dec 2023

Exmar Announces Leadership Change

Carl-Antoine Saverys will take over as CEO of Exmar from January 1, 2024 (Photo: Exmar)

Carl-Antoine Saverys has been named CEO of listed Belgian shipowner Exmar, the company announced Tuesday. Effective January 1, 2024, he will take over from Francis Mottrie who will stay on board as COO.After assuming various roles in the shipping industry, Carl-Antoine Saverys has held deputy roles within Exmar over the past six years, including the company’s infrastructure department and thereafter at the shipping department.Joining him at the executive top level are newly appointed CFO…

08 Dec 2023

US LNG Exports Through Panama Canal Shrink, Asia-Europe Spreads Widen

© Mariusz / Adobe Stock

The number of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels transiting the Panama Canal to Asia halved in November compared with a year ago as Asia prices for the gas this week traded at their steepest premium to European prices in nearly two years.A severe drought has cut vessel traffic through the canal, increasing costs for shippers that take alternative routes or pay extra fees for auctioned slots in Panama. Further restrictions on canal transits likely will put more cargoes on lengthier routes…

08 Dec 2023

Jonathan Quinn Named Managing Director of Avenir LNG

(Photo: Avenir)

Avenir announced Jonathan Quinn has been appointed to the role of Managing Director of Avenir LNG.Quinn was one of the founding management team members of Avenir when the company established in 2018, and in his previous role as Commercial Director has been responsible for our group commercial strategy and business development.Quinn has over 10 years experience in midstream infrastructure, shipping and trading and previously held business development and corporate strategy roles at Stolt-Nielsen Limited, prior to the establishment of Avenir.

07 Dec 2023

GTT Enters Strategic Cooperation Agreement with CSSC

(Photo: GTT)

French engineering firm GTT announced it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese shipbuilding group China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).The agreement provides for cooperation between GTT and 12 subsidiaries of the CSSC conglomerate, notably in ship design and construction, cryogenic containment technologies for liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping, LNG as fuel and smart shipping solutions.As part of this agreement, GTT and CSSC aim to develop and market competitive LNG tank solutions with GTT technologies…

04 Dec 2023

Maersk Tankers, Mitsui Order Up to 10 Very Large Ammonia Carriers

(Photo: Maersk Tankers)

Maersk Tankers confirmed an order for up to 10 very large ammonia carriers (VLAC) has been placed with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in Korea. Mitsui & Co., Ltd. will join as a co-investor in the first four vessels. The vessels will be operated by Maersk Tankers.The 93,000 cbm newbuilds will be among the largest ammonia carriers in operation, capable of carrying a full cargo of ammonia. The first four firm VLACs are due to be delivered from late 2026 onwards, and the contract…

01 Dec 2023

Hahn & Co weighs sale of South Korea's SK Shipping

(File photo: SK Shipping Co)

South Korean private equity firm Hahn & Co is reviewing strategic options for its majority stake in SK Shipping Co, including a sale that could value the company at about $10 billion including debt, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.Hahn & Co is working with financial advisers as it weighs a partial or full sale of its stake, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter, adding that it was considering other options like selling individual divisions of the Seoul-based shipping company.SK Shipping did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment, while Hahn & Co could no

23 Nov 2023

Hanwha Ocean Lands $500M Deal to Build Four Very Large Ammonia Carriers

A rendering of Hanwha Ocean’s very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) - Credit: Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean has secured an order worth approximately $500 million to construct four very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) for Greek shipping company Naftomar Shipping and Trading Co. Ltd. Inc (Naftomar). Each VLAC will be able to transport 93,000 cubic meters (cbm) of ammonia, a carbon-free fuel, making them the largest vessel of their class in the world, Hanwha Ocean. The vessels will be built at Hanwha’s Geoje shipyard and delivered to the shipowner starting in 2026.The VLACs will be outfitted with Hanwha Ocean’s latest technologies…

16 Oct 2023

Exmar Orders Ammonia-Powered Midsize Gas Carriers

Image Credit: Exmar

Exmar LPG has ordered two ammonia-powered Midsize Gas Carriers (MGCs) from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea.According to the company, a joint venture between EXMAR and Seapeak, the ships will be the first-ever oceangoing vessels to be propelled by dual-fuel ammonia engines, allowing for close to zero emissions trading when using ammonia. The engines will be delivered by Swiss marine power company WINGD, and the fuel supply system by Finland-based Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.Carl-Antoine Saverys…

29 Sep 2023

Very Large LPG/Ammonia Carrier Phoenix Harmonia Enters Service

(Photo: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding)

The Phoenix Harmonia, a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered very large LPG/ammonia carrier, has been constructed by Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and delivered to MOL Energia Pte. Ltd., a Singapore-based company of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Group, on September 29.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, supported Namura and contributed to the delivery of the vessel, based on a technical cooperation agreement executed between the two companies in August 2021.

20 Sep 2023

WinGD and KSS Line Collaborate on Dual-Fuel Ammonia Engines for Gas Carriers

Front (L-R): Carmelo Cartalemi (WinGD, General Manager Global Sales),  Chando Park (KSS Line, CEO)

Back: (L-R) Jaeyun Kim (WinGD Korea, Sales Manager), Kwangsu Ra (KSS Line, Gas Team Leader), Euigap Lee (KSS Line, Head of Marine Affairs Division), Byungsam Ahn (WinGD Korea, Managing Director), Jungsik Park (WinGD Korea, Sr. General Manager)

Swiss marine power company WinGD has signed a memorandum of understanding with KSS Line to explore X-DF-A engines for future newbuild projects. The companies will focus on 52cm- and 62cm-bore versions of the dual-fuel ammonia engines, suitable for midsize and very large gas carriers (VLGC). The scope of the cooperation will extend beyond engine technology, also focusing on the performance and maintenance solutions necessary for using alternative fuel. The partners will also explore…

06 Sep 2023

HMD Gets LR AIP for Dual-fuel 45,000cbm LPG Carrier

(Photo: Lloyd’s Register)

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) announced it has granted approval in principle (AIP) to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for its new 45,000cbm liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier design, with availability to be ordered with ammonia dual-fueled propulsion. The dual fuel system equipped on HMD’s LPG carrier allows operators and owners to prioritize their environmental, societal and governance (ESG) strategies for their fleets and align with the IMO’s revised goal of net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

06 Sep 2023

Russia In Talks with China, India to Develop More Ice-class Vessels

© owr / Adobe Stock

Russia must boost production facilities for the construction of ice-breaking vessels in order to meet its targets for increasing trade via the Northern Sea route, Moscow's official in charge of Arctic development has said.The government has been in talks with India and China on such projects, Alexei Chekunkov, the head of Russia's Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, told RBC media.Russia has long viewed the route, which runs from Murmansk near Russia's border with Norway eastwards to the Bering Strait near Alaska…

01 Sep 2023

US LNG Exports Slip in August

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) fell in August as some processing plants reduced output and a heat wave increased gas demand for power, leaving less gas available for LNG production, according to vessel monitoring data and analysts.Above-normal temperatures and drought hit the U.S. Southwest last month, triggering record electricity demand and forcing providers to ask users to voluntarily reduce consumption. Maintenance outages also curbed processing at two Cheniere Energy facilities: Sabine Pass in Louisiana and Corpus Christi in Texas.Gas supply to the seven largest U.S.

25 Jul 2023

ClassNK Grants AIP for GTT's LH2 Carrier Cargo Systems

(Image: GTT)

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AIP) for a cargo containment system (CCS) and cargo handling system (CHS) for liquefied hydrogen carrier developed by GTT.Hydrogen is expected to be used as a source of clean energy for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. The technological development for maritime hydrogen transportation is progressing actively with the aim of establishing a hydrogen supply chain.ClassNK carried out the design review of CCS and…

20 Jul 2023

Argentina Turns Away Gunvor-chartered LNG Tanker, Citing Sanctions

A tanker containing liquefied natural gas (LNG) that originated from a Russia supplier and was loaded onto a Gunvor Group-chartered vessel off the coast of France was turned away this week by Argentine energy firm Enarsa, according to officials.The tanker Flex Artemis was in the South Atlantic and heading northeast on Thursday, according to Refinitiv vessel tracking. It had carried LNG from Yamal in Russia, according to a trader familiar with the matter, and had arrived in Argentine waters about July 14.The rejection is one more sign of the energy market upheavals since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year and of a growing wariness of buyers involving even authorized deals with Russia-originated fuels.

10 Jul 2023

Celsius Orders Four LNG Carriers

Shipowner Celsius Tankers announced it has ordered four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers from shipbuilder China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) (CMHI) for scheduled delivery in 2026 and 2027.Celsius has formed a joint venture with an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners (ArcLight), a middle-market infrastructure investor, to fund two of the LNG carriers. Commodities trading house Gunvor Group Ltd will have a significant equity interest in the other two newbuildings, the first for any independent LNG trading company, demonstrating the strength of Gunvor's global position in the LNG market. All four vessels will enter long…

22 Jun 2023

VLGC Lucky Gas Delivered to Al Seer Marine

(Photo: International Holding Company)

Al Seer Marine has taken delivery of its first very large gas carrier (VLGC) from South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries.The 84,300-cubic-meter-capacity Lucky Gas is employed on a 10-year charter with UAE-based BGN International DMCC.The VLGC forms part of an AED 495 million transaction signed in 2021 by ABGC DMCC, the joint venture between Al Seer Marine and BGN International.Al Seer Marine, a unit of Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company, is in the midst of a fleet expansion program…

22 May 2023

GTT’s Three-tank Concept Gets AIP from Lloyd’s Register

(Image: GTT)

GTT and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have received an approval in principle (AIP) from Lloyd’s Register for the application of a new design of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier featuring GTT’s three-tank concept equipped with the Mark III Flex membrane containment system. This approval is the result of a joint development project (JDP) initiated in 2022, aiming at designing a new generation of LNG carrier.The JDP study has demonstrated several benefits of this new design for ship-owners and operators.

Subscribe for
Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week