SCHOTTEL will provide complete propulsion systems for three new 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessels being built in China. Each vessel’s system will include a controllable pitch propeller, a retractable rudder propeller, and a transverse thruster. The ships are under construction at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering and are expected to be delivered in 2026 and 2027, reports Schottel.
Time Charter Agreement
UK-based LNG bunkering provider Avenir LNG Ltd has ordered two vessels, and Singaporean Vitol International Shipping Ltd has ordered one. Vitol has also signed a seven-year time charter agreement with Avenir for one of Avenir’s vessels, with options to extend the charter up to ten years. The charter is set to begin in Q4 2026.
Each of the three vessels will be equipped with a SCHOTTEL Controllable Propeller (SCP) 119 4-X. This propeller has an input power of 5,800 kW and a 6,000 mm diameter. The vessels, measuring 159.9 meters in length and 25 meters in width, will achieve a free sailing speed of up to 15.5 knots with this propulsion system. The SCP allows for a full-feathering function, positioning the propeller blades for minimal resistance when needed. SCHOTTEL controllable pitch propeller systems are known for their efficiency and reliability. The SCP is designed for robustness and ease of use, minimizing maintenance requirements and ensuring a long service life. Its flexibility enables optimal adaptation of propulsion power to the specific operational needs of LNG bunkering vessels.
Enhancing Maneuverability
To further enhance maneuverability—critical for handling hazardous cargo like LNG during ship-to-ship bunker transfers—each vessel will also be equipped with a SCHOTTEL TransverseThruster (STT) 2 FP, delivering 750 kW with a 1,540 mm propeller diameter. The STT is versatile, suitable for both occasional docking and casting-off maneuvers in ports, as well as continuous operation under demanding conditions. This comprehensive propulsion package ensures the bunkering vessels have exceptional maneuvering capabilities.
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Source: SCHOTTEL
