Keppel launches second Avenir LNG carrier

Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China has recently launched the second liquefied natural gas vessel for small-scale player Avenir LNG.

The 7500 cubic meter LNG carrier with a ship-to-ship bunkering capability was launched on April 11, according to the Italian ship designer Marine Engineering Services.

London-based Avenir LNG, a joint venture consisting of Stolt-Nielsen, Hoegh LNG and Golar LNG, signed a charter deal last year for the vessel with Golar Power.

Under the deal, the LNG carrier will ship chilled fuel to various ports across Brazil starting in the second part of this year.

The vessel will also offer ship-to-ship bunkering capability.

To remind, Keppel Nantong launched the first 7,500-cbm Avenir LNG vessel back in July last year.

Petronas will use this vessel for LNG bunkering operations across Malaysia.

These sister ships are 123.4 meters long and both feature dual-fuelled propulsion.

Besides these two ships, Avenir LNG has similar 7.500-cbm carriers on order at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering yard in China.

These two vessels should be ready for LNG deliveries during the course of the next year.

The Chinese yard also has a contract with Avenir LNG for the construction of two 20,000-cbm LNG carriers with delivery dates also scheduled for 2021.