South Korea's Busan Port executed its first LNG bunkering with simultaneous operations (Simops) on 8 August.
The Blue Whale LNG bunker vessel, with a 7,500m³ tank capacity, supplied 270t of LNG to French shipping firm CMA CGM for a container vessel that works an Asia-Japan route, according to Korea LNG Bunkering (KOLB) — a subsidiary of Korea Gas Corporation.
Built by HD Hyundai Industries in May 2023, the Blue Whale had completed a Simops for 1,000t of LNG to bulk carrier HL-Eco at the Gwangyang Steelworks Pier in October 2023.
South Korea continues to ramp up its LNG bunkering market and port efficiencies as demand for alternative fuels grows. CMA CGM ordered 12 LNG-fuelled container ships to be delivered in the second quarter of 2027, as buying interest picks up for LNG with lower carbon emissions compared to other conventional fuel options.
"This operation marks the first Simops LNG bunkering for LNG-powered container ships in Korea, demonstrating Busan Port's capability to handle such complex operations and enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage," said KOLB. The inaugural LNG Simops was completed at Pier 5 of Busan's new port. South Korea has two other dedicated LNG bunker vessels supporting alternative marine fuels market — the 6,000m³ Green Nuri and 500m³ K LNG Dream.
