Portsmouth and Hong Kong welcome first LNG bunkering operations

The first LNG bunkering operations have been successfully conducted in Portsmouth, a UK channel port, and Hong Kong, a major maritime hub in Asia. An estimated 5,000 cubic meters of LNG were transported from the 8,500-cbm LNG bunker ship Xin Ao Pu Tuo Hao to the Zim-owned 8,200-teu LNG dual-fuel container ship Zim Amber at South Cheung Chau Anchorage in Hong Kong.

Portsmouth’s first LNG bunkering operation took place in the UK when the 6,000-cbm LNGBV Optimus delivered LNG to Brittany Ferries’ new 1,310-passenger, LNG hybrid-electric ferry Saint-Malo. These events coincide with reports that Taiwanese liner Evergreen Marine Corp. is reevaluating its fuel selection for a planned fleet of eleven ultra-large container ships, possibly choosing LNG over methanol.

By the end of 2024, there were 641 LNG-powered ships in service, according to classification organization DNV. As newbuilds are delivered, this number is predicted to quadruple by the end of the decade.