London-headquartered small-scale LNG carrier owner Avenir LNG has handed the operation of three bunker ships to Norway’s Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM).
The 20,000-cbm Avenir Achievement (built 2022) and the 7,500-cbm pair Avenir Ascension (built 2022) and Avenir Aspiration (built 2021) were previously managed by Hoegh LNG, one of the company’s three blue-chip backers alongside Stolt-Nielsen and Golar LNG.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with our new client, Avenir, and we look forward to managing these state-of-the-art LNG bunker tankers, which hold a pivotal role in the industry’s ongoing energy transition,” said WSM chief executive Carl Schou.
“We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring and the value it will deliver to both parties,” he added.
Avenir has five ships and an LNG terminal in Sardinia, Italy.
The company’s CEO Peter Mackey said Hoegh LNG had “contributed enormously” to the success of Avenir LNG since it was established in 2018, paving a solid foundation for the future.
“We applaud all their hard work and Hoegh LNG will continue to be key part of our growth trajectory as a key shareholder. The award to Wilhelmsen, one of the world’s top ship managers with global reach, represents a new milestone on our journey and we have full confidence in the added value they can deliver,” he added.
The boss explained that with a new strategic vision and robust asset base, Avenir is well-placed to weather what can often be a volatile market.
The Oslo-stock listed owner took delivery of the Avenir Achievement in May last year.
Wilhelmsen Ship Management is part of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services, a Wilh Wilhelmsen Group company.
It is one of the world’s largest third-party ship managers with a portfolio of more than 450 vessels and 11,000 active seafarers.
Wilhelmsen provides technical and crew management services for various vessel segments, including LNG and LPG carriers, car carriers, offshore units, boxships and bulkers.
