Chinese state-owned oil and gas giant China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), through its subsidiary CNOOC (Shenzhen) International Marine Clean Energy, together with CLPe, a wholly owned subsidiary of CLP Holdings, has completed Hong Kong’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship-to-ship bunkering operation for a very large crude carrier (VLCC).
Hong Kong completes first LNG bunkering for VLCC
The companies carried out the LNG bunkering operation for the 2023-built VLCC Maran Dione in Hong Kong waters on February 24, 2026. The milestone highlights CLPe’s capability to service a broad range of vessel types while reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a world-class green marine fuel bunkering hub and its growing readiness to support vessels powered by alternative fuels.
Ringo Ng, Managing Director of CLPe, commented:
“The successful completion of this bunkering operation demonstrates the strong partnership between CLPe and CNOOC, a key energy supplier to the Chinese Mainland’s maritime industry. As a super connector, CLPe works hand in hand with CNOOC to bring advanced bunkering services to Hong Kong, providing international vessels with world-class solutions.
“This achievement highlights CLPe’s capability to serve a diverse range of vessel types and reinforces our commitment to accelerating the adoption of green marine fuels. By attracting a wider spectrum of green-energy oceangoing vessels, we are supporting Hong Kong’s development as a green marine fuel bunkering centre and strengthening its position as a leading international maritime hub.”
LNG delivered at South Cheung Chau Anchorage
The operation took place at the South Cheung Chau Anchorage, where approximately 4,700 cubic meters of LNG were delivered to the VLCC over around seven hours.
The vessel measures 330 meters in length and 60 meters in width, with a deadweight capacity of about 320,000 tonnes, placing it among the largest VLCCs in the world.
LNG bunkering vessel Haiyang Shiyou 301
According to the companies, the LNG supplied during the operation enables the vessel to travel around 12,000 nautical miles continuously, equivalent to a round trip between the Middle East and East Asia without intermediate refuelling.
The bunkering was conducted by CNOOC’s Haiyang Shiyou 301, described as the world’s largest LNG bunkering and transport vessel. The ship has an LNG storage capacity of 30,000 cubic meters and an overall length of nearly 200 meters.
Anchorage bunkering for a vessel of this scale requires meticulous planning, precise execution, and strict adherence to safety standards, compared with bunkering operations conducted at container terminals. The companies noted that the operation reflects CLPe and CNOOC’s commitment to supporting the global shipping industry’s transition toward low-carbon energy.
Previous LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong
The two companies previously collaborated to supply LNG to the Hapag-Lloyd container vessel Hanoi Express during cargo handling at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals in June last year.
Approximately 10,000 cubic meters of LNG were delivered during that operation, marking the largest single LNG bunkering operation in Hong Kong to date and the city’s first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering carried out simultaneously with cargo handling.
