Total and Japan's MOL have signed a long-term charter contract for a second large LNG bunker vessel (LNGBV).

The 18,600-cbm vessel is the second contracted between the French energy major's Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS) and the Japanese shipping giant. It will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) in China and will be delivered in 2021.

The 135-metre long LNGBV, which will be fitted with GTT's Mark III membrane-type containment system, will be positioned in the Marseille-Fos area in France.

In a related announcement, Total said it has signed an agreement to supply 270,000-tonnes per annum of LNG to France's CMA CGM over a 10-year period.

The company said the volume will cover the supply at Marseille-Fos of CMA CGM’s future 15,000-TEU1 containerships that will operate between Asia and the Mediterranean, that are scheduled for delivery starting in 2021.

Total said its newest LNGBV 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.

Total unveils its second large LNG bunker vessel which will be built in China by MOL Photo: Total

The company said it will use LNG as a propulsion fuel and integrating a complete re-liquefaction of the boil-off gas.

TMFGS managing director Jerome Leprince-Ringuet said: "LNG is the best available alternative to reduce shipping environmental footprint, as it significantly improves air quality and strongly contributes to greenhouse gases reduction."

He added: "With this agreement we reaffirm today our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to offer our customers a comprehensive network of supply for this clean marine fuel."

The LNGBV will be operated under French flag by MOL, jointly with France's Gazocean.

MOL managing executive officer Kenta Matsuzaka said: "In recent years, the role of LNG has changed enormously. LNG of course, serves as a clean energy source, and we expect to see wider use for it as a vessel fuel, so we anticipate significant growth in the future.

"At MOL, we take a proactive stance in the LNG fuel business and will contribute to achieving global UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through this project."

Total’s first LNG bunker vessel launched last month in Shanghai and will supply LNG bunkers to CMA CGM's 23,000-teu containerships in Northern Europe.

This 18,000-cbm LNGBV, which is being built by MOL, is due to go into operation in April.

Aside from its LNG supply as bunkers in Europe, Total said it will supply "a complementary bunkering solution in Singapore".

CMA CGM chairman and chief executive Rodolphe Saade said: "Liquefied natural sas is the only energy currently available and reliable to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. The choice of LNG to power our ships requires the complete adaptation of the entire energy supply chain and infrastructure.

"By choosing Marseille-Fos as a refuelling port for our 15,000-teu vessels, from the end of 2021, we are bringing the French container ports into this major energy transition.”

Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne added that the development of fuelling is at the heart of the company's LNG strategy.

"Total is committed to working with its customers to offer them more environmentally friendly marine fuels and thus contributes positively to the sustainable evolution of maritime transport, particularly in the Mediterranean basin," he said.