London, United Kingdom | October 9, 2025 – Global energy giant, ExxonMobil is making a bold advance in the maritime energy transition with the announcement of its entry into the LNG bunker market. The company plans to deploy two LNG bunkering vessels starting in 2027, significantly expanding its portfolio of lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission marine fuels and supporting the global push for cleaner shipping solutions.
This initiative is a cornerstone of ExxonMobil’s ambitious strategy to invest up to $30 billion in lower-emission technologies between 2025 and 2030, underscoring its commitment to enabling a sustainable future for the maritime industry and beyond.
Leveraging Four Decades of LNG Expertise to Deliver Cleaner Marine Fuels
With over 40 years of experience across the LNG value chain, ExxonMobil brings unmatched expertise and scale to this new venture. The company’s LNG bunkering vessels will be capable of supplying both conventional LNG and bio-LNG, fuels recognized for their ability to significantly reduce lifecycle GHG emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.
Amy Wood, ExxonMobil’s Global Lower Emission Fuel Manager, stated, “As the maritime industry seeks scalable, effective solutions to reduce GHG emissions, ExxonMobil is leveraging its deep LNG experience and trusted industry presence to deliver these vital fuel options.”
LNG Bunker Vessels Scheduled for 2027 Deployment
ExxonMobil’s initial LNG bunkering capability will be anchored by two vessels: the first, chartered from Avenir LNG, expected for delivery in Q1 2027; and the second, from Evalend Shipping, arriving in Q4 2027. These vessels will form the backbone of ExxonMobil’s LNG marine supply infrastructure, serving customers ready to adopt LNG as a marine fuel.
In anticipation of these deliveries, ExxonMobil is proactively developing complementary supply solutions to ensure seamless service continuity, positioning itself to support early LNG adopters within the maritime sector.
Responding to Market Demand and Policy Momentum
The timing of ExxonMobil’s LNG bunkering initiative aligns with increasing regulatory support and growing market demand for LNG-fueled marine transportation. The company’s integrated approach and technical capabilities enable it to meet evolving customer needs effectively.
ExxonMobil plans to expand its LNG bunkering fleet over time, reflecting its long-term vision of scaling lower-GHG marine fuels and supporting a multifuel future that balances energy needs with environmental responsibility.
“We’re preparing for a multifuel future that helps meet society’s growing needs for energy and essential products, while helping to reduce GHG emissions,”
Advocating for Technology-Neutral Policies to Accelerate Energy Transition
Amy Wood emphasized the importance of effective, technology-neutral policies to accelerate the adoption of cleaner marine fuels and foster innovation. Such frameworks will be critical for scaling infrastructure and enabling the maritime industry’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.
Global Context: LNG as the Bridge to Decarbonization
ExxonMobil’s move comes amid a rapidly accelerating global shift toward LNG as a mainstream marine fuel, as shipping companies seek viable solutions to meet the IMO’s 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.
According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform (mid-2025 data):
- 590 LNG-fueled vessels are already in operation
- 564 more ships are on order globally
- 60 LNG bunkering vessels are in service — up from just one in 2010
- 185 ports worldwide currently offer LNG bunkering services
- Another 50 ports are preparing to join by 2026
Notably, nearly one-third of all new ship orders are now LNG dual-fuel capable — a strong vote of confidence in LNG’s role as a practical transitional fuel for the global maritime sector.
Environmental Advantages: LNG is Leading the Charge
LNG is widely regarded as the most commercially viable transition fuel currently available for ocean-going vessels. Its adoption delivers immediate and measurable reductions in harmful emissions compared to conventional marine fuels, including:
- Up to 23% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- 99% less sulfur oxides (SOx)
- 85% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Lower particulate matter (PM)
- Higher energy efficiency, particularly for long-haul operations
These environmental benefits position LNG as a critical solution for shipowners striving to improve their emissions profiles — without compromising operational reliability or fuel performance.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil is a leading global energy and petrochemical company dedicated to improving quality of life and meeting society’s evolving energy needs. Its core businesses span Upstream, Product Solutions, and Low Carbon Solutions, providing energy, chemicals, lubricants, and advanced low-emission technologies. As one of the largest integrated fuel and chemical companies worldwide, ExxonMobil is committed to leading the transition to lower-emission fuel solutions.
Source: ExxonMobil