First French LNG bunker vessel named
The ‘Gas Vitality’, the first LNG bunker vessel to operate from France, was named at a ceremony in China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard. The 18,600 sqm newbuild bunker vessel is the second collaboration effort of Total Energies Marine Fuels with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding. In 2018, the three partners already designed and built the ‘Gas Agility’, a sistership operating in the port of Rotterdam since 2020.
The ‘Gas Vitality’, which will enter operational service in December 2021 and be based in the port of Marseille Fos, will serve the Mediterranean region under the French flag and be operated by V. Ships France.
MOL senior managing executive officer Kenta Matsuzaka hopes that “our commitment to deliver LNG as a marine fuel will accelerate the transition to LNG fuel as a competitive, efficient and available solution for the maritime industry.” (sh)