Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC) has formed a joint venture with French shipping group CMA CGM to construct and operate a 20,000-cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel, marking the Athens-based company’s entry into the marine fuel supply segment.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of $82.8m. Delivery is expected in the third quarter of 2028.

According to an announcement, the vessel will incorporate advanced emissions reduction systems and highly efficient dual-fuel power generation in order to help it meet maritime environmental standards.

Upon delivery, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a separate joint venture formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies S.A.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply. Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the company through the joint venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, stated: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonisation of our industry.”

Nasdaq-listed CCEC currently operates a fleet of 17 vessels, including 13 LNG carriers, one Neo-Panamax container vessel, one dual-fuel medium gas carrier and two handy LCO2/multi-gas carriers. Its orderbook includes eight additional LNG carriers, five dual-fuel medium gas carriers, two handy LCO2/multi-gas carriers and the newly announced LNG bunkering vessel, with deliveries scheduled between the second quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2029.