Avenir LNG is in talks to supply one or more dedicated bunkering vessels to support Arctic expedition cruiseships.
A source with insight into the small LNG specialist's plans said any such ships would represent an extension of Avenir's series of 7,500-cbm LNG vessels being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE), but with high ice-class specifications and delivery expected in 2021.
Under the planned deployment, the vessels would take on fuel at Rotterdam and proceed to the Arctic to attend cruise vessels operating during its summer.
Avenir chief executive Andrew Pickering expressed uncertainty about what kinds of business his commercial staff might be discussing, but added: "It's not us who are pursuing that opportunity, that I'm aware of."
The identity of the intended end user is unknown, but French niche cruiseship operator Ponant is booking passengers for an Arctic expedition departing in 2021 with a hybrid LNG-electric powered Polar Class 2 newbuilding, the 31,000-gt Le Commandant Charbot.
The ship is being built at the Vard Tulcea yard in Romania. Ponant plans to use it for destinations including Svalbard, the east coast of Greenland, Canada's Northwest Passage and the North Pole. Ponant officials declined to comment.
UK-based, Norwegian-controlled Avenir LNG is owned by Stolt-Nielsen, Golar LNG and Hoegh LNG, plus a 10% float of investors on the Norwegian over-the-counter trading system.
It aspires to build a large fleet of small LNG carriers and has two series with type-C steel tanks underway for various end users.
The first two ships of the 7,500-cbm series meant for Avenir's own Sardinian LNG terminal have found lucrative employment elsewhere.
Three-year charter
The pair, which are set for delivery this month and early next year from Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China, will go to Golar Power in Brazil and Petronas in Malaysia, with the second earning about $28m during its initial three-year charter.
Ships three and four, which were to have been built at Keppel Nantong, were moved to CIMC SOE along with at least two options.
Avenir's larger series of two firm 20,000-cbm ships and two optional pairs is also on order at CIMC SOE.
Under its previous ownership as part of Simon Liang Xiaolei's Sinopacific Shipbuilding group, SOE built specialised and smaller gas carriers, which it has continued since its relaunch under parent group China International Marine Containers (CIMC).
Meanwhile, TradeWinds has learned that CIMC SOE subcontracted the construction of the 7,500-cbm and 20,000-cbm ships to affiliate Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard.
Containership and bulker builder Changhong has no previous experience of gas carriers but sources close to it said the tanks, LNG systems and technical staff will be supplied by CIMC SOE.
A Changhong spokesman confirmed this, adding that it will be responsible for the ships' houses — the part of the superstructures that provide living, cooking and navigation facilities above the weather deck.
The first 7,500-cbm ship is set for delivery in May 2021 and the first 20,000-cbm vessel will be handed over in June 2021.
State-owned CIMC, besides being the world's leading builder of ISO boxes, is whole or part owner of several Chinese yards that construct specialised tonnage, including gas ships, ro-ros and heavylift vessels.
It holds a 30% ownership share in Changhong alongside privately owned manufacturing conglomerate New Changjiang Industrial Group.
