Vitol has revealed that it has ordered two specialist LNG bunker vessels to support its growing LNG bunkering operations.
The company also confirmed the charter of an Avenir LNG bunkering vessel, a fixture that TradeWinds revealed on Tuesday.
The energy trader said in a statement released on Wednesday that its Singapore-based shipping arm, Vitol International Shipping, has ordered the two LNG bunkering vessels at CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in Nantong, China.
The first of the newbuildings will have a capacity of 12,500 cbm, while the other will be larger at 20,000 cbm. The vessels will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the third quarter of 2027, respectively.
Commenting on the charter of the 20,000-cbm newbuilding from Avenir, the company said it has agreed to take the vessel for seven years upon its delivery from a Chinese shipyard in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The charter includes options that will allow Vitol to extend up to 10 years in total.
No financial details on the cost of the newbuildings or the charter rates for the Avenir ship were disclosed.
Vitol has traded LNG for 20 years and said it traded over 17m tonnes of LNG worldwide in 2023.
The company has been investing in bio-LNG infrastructure through its subsidiary, ViGo Bioenergy, and as one of the world’s largest suppliers of bunker fuels through its subsidiary Vitol Bunkers, includes LNG and bio-LNG in its multi-marine fuel and decarbonisation solutions offerings.
Pablo Galante Escobar, Vitol’s head of LNG, EMEA gas & power, said the addition of the LNG bunker vessels will strengthen Vitol’s ability to offer LNG and bio-LNG bunkers to the growing global fleet of LNG-powered ships.
VesselsValue lists Vitol International Shipping as currently controlling a 29-strong fleet comprising 25 chartered tankers ranging from MR2-type product tankers to VLCCs.
An additional four VLGCs are owned outright.
Separately, Vitol Bunkers owns and operates a fleet of 25 bunker tankers that deliver conventional fuel oil, with an additional five 8,000-dwt newbuilding on order at yards in China for delivery between now and the end of 2025.
