Montfort Maritime has taken delivery of the MFM Nicole, its first 40,000 cbm Medium Gas Carrier featuring dual-fuel propulsion for LPG and VLSFO. Built by YAMIC through an agreement with Nissen Kaiun, the vessel marks the company’s strategic entry into the LPG and ammonia shipping segment. The eco-friendly carrier has commenced a time charter with Trafigura, with its sister ship, the MFM Ophelia, expected around the turn of the year.
Geneva and Singapore | September 3, 2026 – Montfort Maritime, the shipping arm of the global commodity trading and energy group Montfort, has officially taken delivery of the MFM Nicole, the first of two 40,000 cbm Medium Gas Carrier (MGC) newbuildings.
The milestone delivery marks the company’s strategic expansion into the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia sectors, reinforcing its broader corporate initiative to modernize its fleet with lower-emission assets.
Key Vessel Specifications & Environmental Tech
Constructed by Jiangsu Yangzi-Mitsui Shipbuilding (YAMIC) in an agreement originally struck in 2024 with Japanese shipowner Nissen Kaiun, the MFM Nicole is engineered for high environmental efficiency:
- Dual-Fuel Propulsion: Capable of running on either LPG or Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), drastically cutting down particulate and gas emissions when operating on gas.
- Cargo Versatility: Equipped with advanced IMO Type A tanks designed to handle cargoes at temperatures as low as –50°C, enabling the safe carriage of LPG (propane and butane) as well as ammonia.
- Emissions Reductions: Main and auxiliary engines are integrated with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to comply strictly with IMO Tier III NOx standards.
Commercial Deployment
Following its delivery, the MFM Nicole has immediately commenced its commercial deployment, entering into a time charter agreement with global energy and commodity trading giant Trafigura.
The vessel’s designated sister ship, the MFM Ophelia, is slated for delivery around the turn of the year, completing this specific MGC pair addition.
“It was a pleasure to see the MFM Nicole sail away on her maiden voyage. This marks an important milestone for us at Montfort Maritime and delivers on our commitment to continue building a more efficient, lower-emission fleet and diversifying our maritime portfolio,” said Torben Pedersen, Head of Trading at Montfort Maritime. “Working alongside the many stakeholders who made this delivery possible has been a professional and open experience, with a shared focus on quality, safety and mutual trust throughout. We look forward to developing further projects with the partners involved across gas, tankers and dry bulk.”
Strategic Momentum for Montfort
The addition of the MFM Nicole highlights Montfort Maritime’s rapid asset scaling across multiple shipping segments. Beyond its growing gas footprint, the company has actively diversified its portfolio through strategic tanker acquisitions, pool entries (such as the MR C.L.U.B.), and strengthened bunkering and trading operations globally.
As regulatory pressures mount across the maritime and bunker sectors, dual-fuel gas carriers like the MFM Nicole position Montfort to capture shifting trade flows in transition fuels like ammonia and LPG.
About Montfort
Montfort is a global commodity trading and asset investment leader that integrates energy solutions across its specialized divisions, Trading, Capital, Maritime, and Fort Energy, while operating under strict international compliance and sustainability frameworks across more than 15 global offices.
Source: Montfort