China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding confirmed it has received an order for an LNG bunker vessel from TotalEnergies.
It said the 18,600-cbm vessel — its 100th LNG newbuilding to be contracted — is due for delivery at the end of 2026.
TradeWinds has previously named Spain’s Grupo Ibaizabal as the winner of a tender run by TotalEnergies for the new LNGBV.
The 135.9-metre long, 24.5-metre beam vessel will be classed by Bureau Veritas and is expected to be operated in the US.
LNG bunker specialists following the order told TradeWinds it is priced at more than $90m, which would rank as a strong price.
Brokers said the cost is likely to reflect ship specifications and the lack of prompt berth space at yards, particularly Hudong-Zhonghua, which has booked LNG vessels delivering through into 2031.
TotalEnergies has been asked for comment.
Its fuelling arm, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels (TMF), operates two LNGBVs of the same size that were also built by Hudong-Zhonghua. The vessels, the Gas Agility (built 2020) and Gas Vitality (built 2021) were contracted by Mitsui OSK Lines against charters with TotalEnergies.
TMF also co-charters another Singapore-based ship, the 12,000-cbm Brassavola (built 2023), which it operates with Singapore’s Pavilion Energy — a company that rival Shell is acquiring.
TotalEnergies ranks itself as the world’s second-largest LNG player and is targeting sales of close to 50m tonnes per year by 2025.
TMF has said there will be a nominal demand of up to 22m tonnes from shipping for LNG as a fuel by 2030 with the growth of dual-fuel vessel orders that will require between 35 and 40 additional LNGBVs.
Announcing half-year results on Thursday, TotalEnergies, which saw net income drop by 30% as LNG prices and sales fell, hinted that it may be able to move forward on its security-delayed Mozambique LNG project.
It also plans to list its shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
