June, 2025, Long Beach, California – Seaspan Energy has successfully completed a landmark ship-to-ship LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) bunkering operation, becoming the first company to refuel a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) with LNG at the Port of Long Beach. This significant milestone took place on June 12, 2025, when Seaspan Baker, one of Seaspan Energy’s purpose-built LNG bunkering vessels, transferred LNG at anchor to the Plumeria Leader, an LNG-powered PCTC operated by Japan’s NYK Line.
This operation follows closely on the heels of Seaspan’s inaugural ship-to-ship LNG bunkering of a tanker, which occurred at the same port on May 17, 2025, marking a string of firsts for the Vancouver-based maritime company in one of North America’s busiest shipping hubs.
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A Breakthrough in Clean Marine Fueling
The June 12 operation not only demonstrates Seaspan Energy’s operational capabilities but also highlights the accelerating shift toward sustainable maritime fueling solutions on the West Coast.
“We are extremely proud to achieve this significant milestone as the first company to complete a ship-to-ship LNG bunkering of a pure car carrier in the Port of Long Beach,” said Harly Penner, President of Seaspan Energy. “This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our team, NYK, and the Port of Long Beach. And we look forward to expanding our service on the West Coast of North America.”
Kaori Takahashi, General Manager of the Fuel Group at NYK LINE, echoed this sentiment: “This milestone reflects our strong commitment to decarbonizing the maritime sector. Collaborating with partners such as Seaspan Energy allows us to advance low-carbon fuel solutions and deliver on our environmental goals while ensuring operational excellence.”
LNG: A Critical Step Toward Maritime Decarbonization
Liquefied Natural Gas is increasingly recognized as a critical transitional fuel for the shipping industry as it moves toward stricter environmental compliance and long-term decarbonization. Compared to traditional marine fuels, LNG offers substantial emissions reductions:
- Up to 99% less sulfur oxides (SOx)
- Up to 90% less nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Near-total elimination of particulate matter
- A 20–25% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions
Across its entire lifecycle, LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 27%, making it a practical and effective tool for meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 sulfur cap and future climate targets.
Benefits Beyond the Vessel
The adoption of LNG as a marine fuel has far-reaching implications, not only for ship operators and port authorities but also for the communities surrounding major ports. With cleaner emissions and improved air quality, coastal cities like Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Seattle, and Long Beach stand to gain health and environmental benefits from the increasing use of LNG-fueled ships.
As the first company in Canada to provide dedicated ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services, Seaspan Energy continues to lead the charge in clean marine fueling. A division of Seaspan ULC, the company operates a growing fleet of advanced LNG bunkering vessels, including:
- Seaspan Garibaldi
- Seaspan Lions
- Seaspan Baker
These vessels are purpose-built to deliver LNG safely and efficiently to a wide range of ship types — from car carriers and container ships to tankers and cruise vessels — across the West Coast of North America.
With a proven track record of successful bunkering operations and a deep commitment to maritime sustainability, Seaspan Energy is playing a pivotal role in building a low-carbon future for the shipping industry.
About Seaspan Energy
Seaspan Energy is a division of Seaspan Marine Transportation, a cornerstone of West Coast marine operations for over a century. Headquartered in Vancouver, Seaspan Marine provides a full suite of marine services including ship assist, coastal and deep-sea transportation, ferry operations, and fuel bunkering. Through its energy division, Seaspan is at the forefront of supporting the global transition to cleaner fuels by delivering reliable, efficient, and scalable LNG bunkering services.
Source Seaspan Corporation