On January 30, the construction commencement ceremony for the 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunker and carrier vessel (Hull No.: S1130), built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "CIMC SOE") for Somtralux SA, was held at the West Yard. The event was witnessed by Yves Pauwels, General Manager of shipowner Somtralux SA; Marian Alexandru, Site Manager of supervision company EXMAR; representatives Zhan Dongliang and Li Jun from classification society DNV; Wen Zhengqing, Director of the Ship Marketing Department; Shen Jiaming, Deputy Director; and members of the company's project team.

This 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunker and carrier has an overall length of 160 meters, a beam of 25 meters, and a design speed of 15.5 knots, making it one of the primary vessel types in the global LNG bunker and carrier fleet. The vessel is not only equipped with a WINGD dual-fuel main engine featuring iCER technology but is also prepared for the potential future installation of a high-voltage shore power system. These features significantly reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the vessel's lifecycle, effectively addressing the increasingly stringent environmental demands of the global shipping industry.

As a leading enterprise in the global small and medium-sized liquefied gas carrier segment, CIMC SOE remains focused on the research, development, and construction of green vessels and clean energy equipment. The successful commencement of this 20,000m³ LNG bunker and carrier further consolidates the company's position in the global gas carrier sector and contributes tangible strength to promoting the energy transition in shipping and advancing the "Dual Carbon" goals.