The attacks on shipping off the coast of Yemen is provoking LNG carriers to make U-turns in the Suez Canal to avoid the area, and a round-up of the latest LNG shipping-related news
Red Sea attacks provoke U-turn
Three LNG carriers so far have adjusted their routes to avoid passing by Yemen, according to Reuters, reporting on shiptracking data supplied by Kpler and LSEG Eikon.
VesselsValue’s tracking also shows an LNG carrier, Celsius Copenhagen, had passed through the Suez Canal on 13 December 2023 and was midway through the Red Sea before making a U-turn and doubling back on 15 December 2023.
LNG as a marine fuel
MOL is expanding its fleet with an additional five newbuilding dual-fuel Capesize dry bulk carriers, which can burn either LNG or conventional marine fuel oil.
Two of the vessels will be ordered at Nihon Shipyard and be built by Imabari in Japan and three will be built by CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China.
The vessels are slated for delivery from 2026 to 2027.
Executive moves
Listed Belgian shipowner Exmar sets a strategic milestone as Carl-Antoine Saverys will be the new chief executive, taking over from Francis Mottrie who will stay on board as chief operating officer.
Carl-Antoine Saverys will take over as chief executive from 1 January 2024 after six years in deputy roles at Exmar’s infrastructure department and the shipping department.
Joining him at the executive top level are newly appointed chief financial officer Hadrien Bown and executive director infrastructure, Jonathan Raes, member of the executive committee since 2018.
Francis Mottrie will assume a supporting role as chief operating officer from 1 January, alongside Jens Ismar, executive director shipping.
Gas handling systems
Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling and LPG fuel supply systems for a new medium gas carrier vessel being built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for Turkish shipowner Pasco Gas. The 45,000-m3 vessel was ordered as an option following an earlier newbuild contract signed in February 2023.
Wärtsilä will also supply the cargo handling and fuel supply systems for four new 40,000-m3 gas carrier vessels.
The ships are being built at the CIMC SinoPacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China for Norwegian shipowner Avance Gas.
LNG power plant
Vietnam has awarded an investment licence to a consortium of Tokyo Gas, Kyuden International and Truong Thanh Group to build a US$2Bn LNG-fired power plant in its northern province of Thai Binh.
JERA and Pertamina MoU
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between JERA from Japan and PT Pertamina to announce their collaboration on information sharing.
The goal is to enhance the value of the fuel value chain and create business opportunities for investing in LNG, hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure.
The collaboration will cover areas such as LNG, hydrogen and ammonia transport, LNG receiving terminal operation and maintenance, capacity building through benchmarking, training and exchange programmes aimed at improving the operational efficiency of LNG handling.
Additionally, the parties will explore potential new businesses related to carbon capture, utilisation and storage.
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