China-built world's largest LNG transport refueling vessel begins work

The world's largest liquefied natural gas transport refueling vessel manufactured by China National Offshore Oil Refining Company started LNG refueling services for the world's largest tonnage dual-fuel very large crude carrier in Guangzhou on Friday.

The LNG transport refueling vessel, Offshore Oil 301, is the first LNG transport refueling vessel independently designed, built, managed and operated by China.

The vessel has injected 6,500 cubic meters of LNG to the tanker on Friday, enough to fuel the ship to sail more than 10,000 nautical miles continuously, equivalent of the round-trip voyage from China's Guangzhou in Guagndong province to Europe, it said.

The global market for transport vessels powered by LNG is developing rapidly and the number has increased significantly in recent years. By the end of 2022, there were 346 ocean-going LNG powered vessels in operation and 513 orders worldwide.

It is predicted that by 2025, the global LNG bunkering market demand will exceed 10 million tons and reach 30 to 45 million tons by 2030.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China will accelerate the construction of international ship LNG refueling centers such in Tianjin, Xiamen and Hainan and further improve the inland river LNG refueling chain, it said.