On September 23, the keel-laying ceremony for the 20,000m³ LNG bunkering vessel (Hull No.: S1129), built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "CIMC SOE") for Somtralux SA, was held at the workshop of the west area. The ceremony was witnessed by Yves Pauwels, General Manager of shipowner Somtralux SA; Alan Delanoe, Group Technical & Operations Director; Marian Alexandru, Site Manager of supervision company EXMAR; representatives Zhan Dongliang and Li Jun from classification society DNV; Chen Bin, Deputy General Manager of CIMC SOE's Shipbuilding Business Division; Wen Zhengqing, Director of the Ship Marketing Department; Chen Rui, Assistant Director of the Quality Assurance Department; and other members of the company's project team.
This vessel is a mainstream large-scale LNG bunkering vessel type globally, with core configurations highlighting green and efficient features. The power system is equipped with a WINGD dual-fuel 5X52DF main engine and an intelligent exhaust gas recirculation (iCER) system, which further reduces methane slip and nitrogen oxide emissions, achieving an additional 2% to 3% reduction in fuel and gas consumption. The propulsion system utilizes a CPP combined with a stern thruster and a bow full-revolution thruster, ensuring precise bunkering operations even under complex sea conditions. Additionally, the vessel is equipped with a high-voltage shore power interface, enabling zero carbon emissions while in port. It also features all-weather operational capability, meeting flexible bunkering needs for different ports and ship types. This project will further solidify CIMC SOE's competitiveness in the high-end LNG transportation equipment sector.
The successful holding of this keel-laying ceremony has laid the foundation for subsequent key stages such as hull construction and system integration. Moving forward, CIMC SOE will use the commencement of this project as an opportunity to strictly control construction quality and schedule, deepen collaborative cooperation with the shipowner, supervision company, and classification society, and ensure the timely delivery and operational deployment of the vessel, thereby injecting new vitality into the global clean energy marine equipment market.
