DALIAN, CHINA – In a strategic move set to redefine China’s role in the global maritime energy transition, Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd. (DSOC) has officially signed a landmark contract with China Bunker for the construction of a 20,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel—the most advanced of its kind in the nation. The agreement also includes an option for a second vessel, underscoring the deepening commitment to sustainable shipping and the development of domestic green maritime infrastructure.
This milestone marks China Bunker’s formal entry into the international green energy bunkering market, laying the foundation for a new era in high-end offshore vessel design and environmentally sustainable fuel supply.
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“Made in China” Excellence: A New Benchmark for LNG Bunkering Vessels
The new vessel will be the first in China to incorporate a globally recognized membrane containment system, placing it at the forefront of the country’s technological capabilities in gas carrier construction. Developed and engineered entirely in-house by DSOC, the project highlights China’s accelerating progress in the independent design and construction of complex offshore support vessels for clean energy applications.
Key Specifications:
- Length Overall: 138 meters
- Breadth (Moulded): 24.8 meters
- Design Draft: 7.2 meters
- Cargo Tank Capacity: 20,000 cubic meters
- Propulsion: Two azimuthing thrusters for enhanced maneuverability and operational redundancy
- Classification: China Classification Society (CCS)
Equipped with a comprehensive AI-driven 360° all-weather intelligent monitoring system, the vessel is designed for safe, efficient operations in diverse port conditions. Its green credentials are further solidified through the integration of methane slip reduction technology and carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) systems, ensuring full compliance with the IMO’s latest GHG emission regulations.
Notably, the vessel is future-fuel ready, featuring modular systems and built-in interfaces for handling next-generation clean fuels such as green ammonia and hydrogen, paving the way for adaptive bunkering solutions as alternative fuel adoption accelerates.
Intelligent, Integrated, and Efficient: A Next-Generation Bunkering Platform
Beyond LNG transfer, the vessel has been designed as a comprehensive functional bunkering platform, offering a full suite of pre- and post-bunkering services, including:
- Inert gas supply
- Cargo tank pre-cooling and conditioning
- Gas tightness testing
- Safety control and emergency response systems
This highly systematic approach enhances operational efficiency, reduces port turnaround time, and sets a new standard for safe and intelligent ship-to-ship LNG transfer operations. The vessel’s digital integration also supports real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and performance optimization, in line with the maritime industry’s push towards digitalization and decarbonization.
LNG Demand Surges as Infrastructure and Vessel Orders Accelerate Globally
Global LNG Adoption Accelerates, Driving Demand for Bunkering Infrastructure
The DSOC–China Bunker agreement comes at a time when liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to solidify its role as the leading alternative marine fuel. According to the latest data from DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, LNG remains the top fuel of choice for new vessel orders. As of 2025, 87 LNG-fuelled ships totaling 14.2 million gross tons (GT) have been ordered, with 81 of these being container vessels—representing a massive 13.6 million GT alone. This trend highlights LNG’s stronghold in high-volume, long-haul segments of global shipping.
LNG Bunkering Infrastructure Growth Keeps Pace
To support the expanding fleet, significant investment is flowing into LNG bunkering capabilities. In the first half of 2025, 13 new LNG bunkering vessels were ordered, adding to the 62 already in operation worldwide. LNG bunkering is now available in 185 global ports, with 50 more ports preparing to offer LNG services by next year. The bunkering vessel fleet itself has grown from just one vessel in 2010 to 60 in service today, with 13 additional units on order—a clear indicator of growing confidence in LNG as a mainstream marine fuel.
Fleet Expansion Reflects LNG’s Long-Term Role
Since 2010, when only 21 LNG-fuelled vessels operated globally, the fleet has surged to 590 vessels in service today, including some of the world’s largest container ships, which are now twice the size of earlier generations. With 564 more vessels on order, the global LNG-powered fleet is projected to reach 1,154 ships by the end of 2028. Additionally, there are currently 772 LNG carriers in operation, with 341 more under construction as of late 2023. This means that over 2,000 of the world’s 60,000 large commercial vessels will be LNG-propelled within just a few years.
LNG Captures a Third of the Newbuild Market
LNG’s momentum is further underscored by its presence in the global order book—LNG dual-fuel vessels now account for approximately one-third of all newbuilds. In terms of deadweight tonnage (DWT), LNG-powered ships in operation and on order amount to 142.5 million DWT, or roughly 6% of the world’s total fleet capacity (2,224 Mt DWT).
This sustained growth in LNG-fuelled ships and bunkering assets reinforces the strategic importance of projects like the DSOC–China Bunker LNG bunkering vessel, as the maritime industry continues its transition toward lower-carbon operations.
About China Bunker
Headquartered in Shanghai, China Bunker represents a dynamic new entrant in the clean energy marine fuel sector. The company is strategically focused on the investment, development, and operation of bunkering vessels for low- and zero-carbon fuels, including LNG, green ammonia, and hydrogen.
Despite its recent establishment, China Bunker is positioning itself as a key enabler of green shipping, aiming to establish a robust global network of fuel supply solutions through long-term collaborations with international ports, energy majors, vessel operators, and supply chain stakeholders.
The LNG bunkering vessel program with DSOC is a foundational pillar of this vision, establishing China Bunker as a competitive force in the next-generation maritime energy landscape.
About Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd. (DSOC)
Dalian Shipbuilding Offshore Co., Ltd. (DSOC), restructured and launched in September 2023, builds on decades of shipbuilding heritage as part of the CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation) network. Strategically situated within the Dalian Bay coastal equipment manufacturing hub, DSOC is a full-spectrum EPC contractor specializing in the design, construction, repair, and conversion of offshore energy assets and complex marine vessels.
With production capacity for 8–10 major offshore projects annually, DSOC operates under a world-class quality, environmental, and safety management system, backed by a top-tier engineering team and cutting-edge digitalized shipyard infrastructure.
DSOC has a proven track record with major domestic energy players—including CNOOC, PetroChina, and Sinopec—and maintains active commercial relationships with clients in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. In recent years, the company has significantly expanded its focus to support the energy transition, offering clean energy solutions across LNG carriers, offshore wind vessels, and ammonia-fueled platforms.
With this latest LNG bunkering vessel, DSOC reinforces its position as a technological leader and partner of choice in China’s push toward carbon neutrality and sustainable marine development.
Source DSOC