Almost a quarter of tanker orderbook LNG-fuelled

There are 20 VLCCs, 41 Aframax/LR2s and two Suezmax tankers, as well as 40 ‘LNG-ready’ tankers on the orderbook, according to the firm, which notes the advance of LNG dual-fuel technology across many ship types.

Gibson highlighted the world’s first VLCC to be fuelled by LNG. The 319,000 dwt Yuan Rui Yang, built by Dalian Shipyard for Cosco Shipping, successfully completed sea trials recently and is due for delivery about now.

The vessel’s original 2017 shipbuilding contract specified standard propulsion, but Cosco chose the LNG option by way of a supplemental agreement early in 2020. The 333m-long tanker has a WinGD XDF main engine consuming about 60 tonnes of fuel a day, and two 3,500 cu m Type C fuel tanks.

Whilst LNG is proving popular as a bridging fuel, Gibson notes other developments that are likely to lead to a multi-fuel future. The broker reported the imminent first voyage of the liquid hydrogen carrier, Suiso Frontier, which will load a cargo of hydrogen in Australia. The vessel is capable of reliquefying cargo and although it has not been designed to use boil-off cargo as fuel, subsequent vessels could well have this capability, Gibson said.

Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.