Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) has reached construction milestones on two 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering ships, with one newbuilding starting construction and another completing its launch at the Chinese yard.

The vessel for Singapore-based Equatorial Marine Fuel Management Services (EMF), hull number S1128, officially began construction on 15 April. EMF Chief Operating Officer Choong Sheen Mao, President Choong Kien Siong and Managing Director Choong-Ong Gek Hoon attended the ceremony alongside representatives from DNV and the shipbuilder.

The 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering unit is 160 metres long, 25 metres wide and has a design speed of 15.5 knots. It is designed to combine storage, transportation and STS bunkering functions.

Two days later, on 17 April, the sister ship for Luxembourg-based Somtralux SA, hull number S1129, completed its launch at slipway No. 1 in the yard’s West Zone. Somtralux SA General Manager Yves Pauwels attended the event together with representatives from EXMAR China and DNV.

CIMC SOE noted that both bunkering vessels are fitted with WinGD dual-fuel main engines and intelligent exhaust gas recirculation (iCER) systems. The company stated that the design meets IMO Tier III emission standards whether operating on conventional fuel oil or LNG, while reducing fuel and gas consumption by 2%-3% and lowering methane slip and greenhouse gas emissions.

The yard also highlighted an optimised cargo containment system with a lower evaporation rate than comparable ships, as well as a high-voltage shore power interface intended to enable zero-emission operations while berthed.