The world’s largest dual-purpose LNG bunkering vessel was launched in China. Its construction was part of efforts to build the global LNG supply chain. Increasingly, the shipping industry sees LNG as a transition fuel to cleaner energy as shipping moves forward in its efforts to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
The launch of the Avenir Allegiance took place, January 27, 2021 at Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard Co. Due to be delivered by CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. in the third quarter of this year, it will be the first 20,000 cubic meter vessel to join the Avenir LNG fleet and the world’s largest LNG bunkering vessel.
“We are delighted to see our partners CIMC SOE successfully launch the latest and largest vessel in the Avenir LNG fleet,” said Peter Mackey, chief executive officer of Avenir LNG. “We look forward to taking delivery of the Avenir Allegiance later this year.”
The Allegiance will operate as both an LNG bunkering vessel and an LNG supply vessel. According to the company, this highly flexible design will contribute to the growth of LNG markets. “We can deliver LNG to a wide range of customers from a single vessel, improving efficiency in the LNG supply chain and ultimately reducing costs for our end customers.”
The Allegiance will be Cayman Islands-flagged and will be the fourth of six newbuildings delivered to Avenir LNG. Avenir’s first newbuilding delivery, Avenir Advantage, took place in October 2020. It will be followed by the Accolade, Aspiration, Allegiance , Ascension and Achievement awards , all to be delivered this year.
The Avenir fleet consists of three sets of two, with the first two vessels built by Keppel Singmarine and the later pairs built by CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering. The Allegiance and its sister ship will be the largest of the vessels with a length of 525 feet and a beam of 27 feet.
Avenir reports that they will have a pumping capacity of 2,100 cubic meters per hour. The other four vessels have a capacity of approximately 7500 m3 with a pumping capacity of 1000 m3 per hour. These vessels have slightly different dimensions with the set coming from Keppel being 405 feet long, while the second set being built by CIMC is shorter at 380 feet long.
Avenir’s new bunker vessels will be part of the overall effort to build the LNG bunkering fleet. The number of vessels available for LNG bunkering vessels grew rapidly in 2020. Current estimates are that there are more than 40 bunker vessels available and the fleet is expected to continue to grow in the coming year.
