A new 20,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel, built for Somtrans Group, has been launched at CIMC Group’s shipyard in Qidong, China, under the supervision of Belgium-based maritime services company Exmar.

The vessel was launched with support from Exmar’s newbuilding supervision team and is expected to join the Exmar Ship Management fleet next year, Exmar said.

The launch marks the latest stage in the vessel’s construction programme, with commissioning and sea trials still to follow before delivery.

Exmar noted that the project involved collaboration between its on-site team, the yard and a number of project partners.

Somtrans is an Antwerp-based tanker shipping company with fully owned barges; it is run by the Somers family. Exmar Group, also headquartered in Antwerp, specialises in floating maritime solutions for the transport, transformation, and storage of gas and liquid hydrocarbons, operating a fleet ranging from very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to pressurised vessels, as well as floating LNG production, storage, and regasification units.