A breakthrough LNG refuelling operation has landed Idan Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping on national television in China.
The bunkering of the Singapore company’s 209,000-dwt newcastlemax bulker Mount Cook (built 2023), chartered by Rio Tinto, was the first at the anchorage outside the port of Zhoushan.
The operation was carried out in cooperation with PetroChina and was filmed by China Central TV.
The vessels received 2,200 tonnes of LNG.
“This is an important milestone for EPS and our industry, with Zhoushan Anchorage holding a significant strategic role as a refuelling hub for conventional bunker, LNG and other future alternative fuels. Integrating it into the vessel’s route not only ensures optimal operational efficiency but also helps reduce emissions,” Eastern Pacific said, referring to itself by its abbreviation.
To date, Eastern Pacific has performed over 115 successful LNG bunkering operations and continues to see a rapid increase in the LNG bunkering network for the global fleet.
The company added it is pioneering the decarbonisation route and is committed to the green and technology-driven growth of the industry.
Eastern Pacific has already taken delivery of 45 dual-fuel vessels including LNG, LPG and ethane, with more being built.
Last week, TradeWinds reported that Eastern Pacific was poised to contract the world’s first ammonia-powered bulk carrier newbuildings in China, according to shipbuilding sources.
The deal for six dual-fuelled 210,000-dwt newcastlemaxes, which is close to being finalised, is valued at about $480m in total.
The order involves an initial three ships to be built at state-owned Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry with options for a further three, according to sources familiar with the talks.
