Total, MOL ink charter deal for second LNG bunker vessel

Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have signed a long-term charter contract for a second large LNG bunker vessel, to be delivered in 2021.

She will be positioned in the Marseille-Fos area in France, Total said in a statement on Wednesday.

This bunker vessel will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, and will have a capacity of 18,600 cubic meters for a length of about 135 meters and will be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system provided by French company GTT.

This vessel has been specifically designed to supply LNG bunker in the Mediterranean area to a wide range of vessels, including containerships, tankers, ferries and large cruise ships. The vessel will use LNG as propulsion fuel and integrate a complete re-liquefaction of the boil-off gas.

The newbuild vessel will be operated under the French flag by MOL, jointly with the Marseille-based Gazocean.

This agreement follows the launching of Total’s first LNG bunker vessel last month in Shanghai, which will supply LNG bunker to CMA CGM 23,000 TEU  containerships in Northern Europe.