CIMC SOE LNG Bunker Vessels Reach Three Construction Milestones

Summary

CIMC SOE has advanced three LNG bunkering projects for Purus Marine, Vitol International Shipping and Avenir LNG. Steel cutting, keel laying and a vessel launch took place between 12 and 15 October, progressing new capacity intended to support marine-fuel supply networks as owners expand their LNG bunkering fleets.

Three projects move through different building stages

Three CIMC SOE LNG bunker vessels reached construction milestones in China during October 2026, spanning the start of fabrication, hull assembly and launching.

Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering began building an 18,900-cubic-metre vessel for Purus Marine on 13 October. Two days later, it laid the keel for a 20,000-cubic-metre vessel for Vitol International Shipping.

The yard also launched Avenir LNG’s 20,000-cubic-metre newbuild, hull S1124, on 12 October.

The developments demonstrate simultaneous progress across separate customer programmes. They represent construction achievements, with subsequent outfitting, testing and commissioning required before the vessels enter commercial service.

Purus vessel supports Shell’s bunkering programme

Steel cutting for hull S1152 formally started construction of the Purus vessel. CIMC SOE’s latest update identifies it as part of a three-vessel series intended for charter to Shell for LNG bunkering at major international hub ports.

The project builds on an earlier Purus order announced in October 2025, when the yard disclosed contracts for two 18,900-cubic-metre vessels.

That earlier design announcement described ships under 140 metres in overall length, equipped with two IMO Type C cargo tanks and a higher-pressure storage configuration.

The propulsion arrangement combines dual-fuel diesel-electric machinery with two high-power bow thrusters. The yard also identified high-voltage shore-power capability and engines designed to limit methane slip among the specifications.

These features address the operating requirements of bunkering vessels, which must combine cargo capacity with manoeuvrability during close-quarters operations and short-distance movements.

Vitol newbuild enters hull assembly

The keel-laying ceremony for Vitol International Shipping’s hull S1125 took place on 15 October.

The 20,000-cubic-metre vessel has moved from block fabrication into assembly on the building berth. Equipment installation and system commissioning will follow as construction progresses.

The project forms part of Vitol’s previously announced investment in LNG bunkering capacity. In July 2024, the company outlined arrangements covering three vessels through a combination of ownership and chartering.

Those arrangements included orders at CIMC SOE for a 12,500-cubic-metre vessel and a 20,000-cubic-metre vessel, alongside a separate long-term charter of an Avenir newbuild.

At that time, delivery of Vitol’s directly ordered 20,000-cubic-metre vessel was scheduled for the third quarter of 2027. The October construction announcement did not provide a revised delivery timetable.

The combination of owned and chartered tonnage gives the programme different routes to securing capacity, rather than relying entirely on directly commissioned ships.

Avenir launch advances its current series

Avenir LNG confirmed that hull S1124 entered the water on 12 October, identifying it as the second vessel in its current newbuilding series at CIMC SOE.

The launch moves the project into its next construction stages ahead of eventual fleet entry. Avenir’s announcement emphasised continued work towards welcoming the vessel into service.

The milestone adds to the yard’s ongoing relationship with an owner focused on small-scale LNG transportation and bunkering. It also illustrates the different stages reached by the three projects: Avenir’s hull has been launched, while the Vitol and Purus vessels remain at earlier construction phases.

Wider orderbook includes domestic supply infrastructure

The activity extends beyond these international customer programmes. In September 2026, CIMC announced a separate contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy for a 12,000-cubic-metre LNG bunkering vessel, scheduled for delivery in 2028.

That vessel is intended to strengthen China’s coastal LNG supply network. The order adds a domestic deployment alongside projects serving international owners and fuel suppliers.

CIMC said the agreement lifted its marine clean-energy equipment backlog to a new high, although it did not disclose a contract value in that announcement.

For the bunkering market, the immediate significance is a pipeline of additional delivery capacity moving through construction. Its practical contribution will depend on completed vessels entering service, their deployment locations and the fuel demand they ultimately serve.

FAQs

Which companies are involved in the three projects?

Purus Marine, Vitol International Shipping and Avenir LNG.

What milestone did the Purus vessel reach?

Steel cutting for the 18,900-cubic-metre hull S1152 took place on 13 October 2026.

What happened to Vitol’s vessel?

The keel of the 20,000-cubic-metre hull S1125 was laid on 15 October.

Which Avenir vessel was launched?

The 20,000-cubic-metre newbuild identified by hull number S1124 was launched on 12 October.

Are these vessels already delivering LNG?

The announcements describe construction milestones, rather than delivery or the start of bunkering operations.