Seaspan takes delivery of first 7,600 cbm LNG bunker vessel from CIMC SOE

Chinese shipbuilder CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) has delivered the first of three 7,600 cubic meter (cbm) LNG bunker vessels, Seaspan Garibaldi, to Canadian shipowner Seaspan. The vessel will sail to the northwest Pacific region, becoming Seaspan’s first LNG bunker barge in North America.

Construction of the 112.8-meter-long bunker vessel began in February 2023 and the launching ceremony was held in December 2023.

The vessel is able to travel at a speed of 13 knots and is classed by French classification society Bureau Veritas (BV).

Designed in cooperation with VARD Marine, Seaspan Garibaldi features an advanced DC power distribution system and is equipped with three dual-fuel generators for power supply. Two 1,600 kW azimuth thrusters provide propulsion, and there is provision for battery installation.

This LNG bunker vessel comes with two tanks comprising TGE Marine Gas Engineering’s fuel gas system, intank, and cargo pumps for each tank as well as two compressor systems for boil-off gas (BOG) handling. It is equipped with a subcooler unit, which is controlled by a TGE Marine control system supporting the maintenance of the tank pressure besides BOG treatment. It also has a static and dynamic custody transfer system and various manifolds that enable full flexibility of bunkering operations.

To remind, CIMC SOE signed an agreement with Seaspan for the construction of two 7,600 cbm LNG bunker vessels, with the option for a third vessel, in May 2023.

The remaining two vessels, Seaspan Lions and Seaspan Baker, were launched in April and July this year, respectively. Seaspan Lions is scheduled for delivery in 2024 while Seaspan Baker will arrive in 2025.

Seaspan Lions will provide LNG fueling services for vessels on the West Coast of North America and will be joined by Seaspan Baker which is currently targeted to service the Long Beach containership market.