TotalEnergies Signs Charter Contract with Ibaizabal to Construct LNG Bunker Vessel 

Totalenergies signed a charter contract with the Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal to construct a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel with an 8,600 cubic meters capacity. 

This move will expand TotalEnergies' global presence in LNG bunkering, particularly in major shipping hubs. 

It will also potentially support the Marsa LNG project in Oman, which aims to serve the Gulf’s shipping sector. 

The new vessel, which will be constructed by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. 

 It will join TotalEnergies' existing LNG bunkering fleet, which includes the Gas Agility in Rotterdam, Gas Vitality in Marseille, and Brassavola in Singapore. 

The vessel will supply LNG to various vessels, such as containerships, tankers, cruise ships, and ferries. 

Louise Tricoire, TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice President of Aviation and Marine Fuels, said, “We are very proud of this agreement with Ibaizabal, which reinforces our position as a major player in LNG bunkering.”

He added, “With new LNG-fuelled vessels coming on stream at a rapid pace, we are committed to playing our part in responding to the sector’s increasing demand for this fuel which can help global shipping meet its decarbonization ambitions.” 

LNG, recognized as a transitional fuel, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector by about 20% compared to traditional marine fuels.

Additionally, it improves air quality by reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85% and nearly eliminating sulfur oxides (Sox) and fine particulates by 99%. 

These advantages are important in port cities as they contribute to enhancing environmental quality for coastal communities.