The Port of Klaipeda achieved a significant milestone with its first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation. The LNG tanker Avenir Aspiration successfully bunkered 326 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas to the CMA CGM container vessel Containerships Aurora, a 170-meter-long ship, on April 9. This accomplishment represents a major advancement in maritime services for Lithuania’s primary transport hub.
“This successful LNG bunkering operation is a milestone for Klaipeda Port and a significant leap forward in diversifying and improving the quality of services the port provides to maritime operators. The operation leverages of our strategic advantages, including the existing infrastructure of the LNG floating storage and regasification terminal Independence, to offer cleaner, more sustainable bunkering solutions. Klaipeda Port is now firmly on the map as a convenient and reliable location for LNG bunkering in the region,” says Vladas Motiejunas, Harbourmaster of The Port of Klaipeda.
CMA CGM operates three LNG-powered vessels in the Baltic Sea, with regular calls at the Port of Klaipeda. There are plans to expand the LNG-powered vessel fleet to six in the near future.
“The possibility to bunker LNG container vessels in the Port of Klaipeda is a strong sign that the port infrastructure is adapting in line with carbon zero targets in shipping. CMA CGM plans to have Klaipeda Port as a regular spot for LNG vessel bunkering,” says Saulius Kazakevicius, General Manager at CMA CGM Lithuania.
LNG significantly reduces emissions of sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment. This operation demonstrates a shared commitment to sustainability and innovation in the shipping industry. Klaipeda Port has the ambition to offer a wider variety of alternative green fuels in the future, including on-site production and bunkering of green hydrogen starting in early 2026.
“As the leading LNG/bio-LNG supplier for marine customers in the Baltic Sea, Avenir LNG is proud to have achieved another significant milestone with the first Lithuanian LNG STS bunker operation. Our vessel, “Avenir Aspiration,” successfully delivered chilled fuel while “Containership Aurora” handled containers, showcasing our commitment to advancing LNG bunkering and putting Klaipėda on the global LNG bunker map.” – Jan Schubert, Commercial Director at Avenir LNG Shared.
Avenir LNG is a fully integrated small-scale LNG supplier. Avenir currently operates the second-largest small-scale LNG fleet with five LNG transport and bunker vessels and provides LNG bunkering services globally. The company is the leading LNG & bio-LNG supplier in the Baltic Sea and secures the energy supply for a range of vessels and terminals in the area, including Sweden, Lithuania, and Finland. In addition to the fleet of vessels, Avenir is the owner of a 10,000 cbm LNG import and storage terminal in the Port of Oristano, Sardinia.
About Port of Klaipeda
Klaipeda Port is the major transport hub in Lithuania, serving 6,000 ships per year in 33 specialized terminals. The port handles containers, ro-ro, LNG, dry bulk, liquid bulk, general, and project cargoes, and half a million passengers per year.
Source Port of Klaipeda | Avenir LNG