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LNG bunkering infrastructure is expanding in the Caribbean as cruise operators increase their use of LNG and bioLNG as lower-emission marine fuels. A recent milestone was recorded in Honduras, where RCI-Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas received an LNG bunkering operation from the 7,500-m3 Avenir Advantage at Roatan on August 18th.
Icon OTS, one of the world's largest cruise ships, was refuelled during a Western Caribbean itinerary. The operation followed the LNG bunkering of Carnival Jubilee at Roatan in June, making it the first cruise ship to receive LNG at Isla Tropicale in the Honduran port.
Carnival has identified Roatán's location as advantageous for LNG-capable cruise ships because bunkering can be carried out with limited deviation from established itineraries. The company said that establishing LNG bunkering capability in Latin America and the Western Caribbean would support regional cruise operations while contributing to its wider emissions-reduction strategy.
AIDA Cruises introduced LNG to its cruise operations in 2018, and Carnival Corporation now operates 11 LNG-capable ships across its brands. A further 7 LNG-capable vessels are scheduled to enter the fleet by the end of 2033.
Royal Caribbean currently has 4 LNG-powered ships, with 4 additional Icon-class vessels planned by 2030. Legend of the Seas, the newest ship in the class, recently bunkered with bioLNG at Cadiz ahead of its European debut.
The 2020-built Avenir Advantage is one of 5 LNG bunkering vessels currently operated by Avenir LNG. The company is also expanding its fleet through a 2-vessel newbuild programme in China.
The first of the new vessels, Avenir Ambition, is a 20,000-m3 LNG bunkering ship launched on July 20th at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering. Scheduled for delivery in the 4th quarter of 2026, the vessel will enter a 7-year charter with Vitol International Shipping, with options extending the contract to 10 years.
The keel for the second vessel, designated Hull S1124, was laid at the same shipyard on July 24th. Delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, after which the ship will enter a long-term charter with SeaRiver Maritime. The agreement represents ExxonMobil's initial entry into LNG and bioLNG bunkering.
ExxonMobil has also agreed with Evalend Shipping on a second LNG bunkering vessel scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2027. Evalend has been associated with an order for four 18,000-cubic-metre LNG bunker vessels at HD Hyundai Mipo.
The global LNG bunkering vessel fleet is continuing to expand. According to DNV Alternative Fuels Insights, 67 LNG bunker vessels are currently in operation, more than twice the number recorded five years ago.
Larger vessels are becoming increasingly prominent, with 58% of the existing fleet having a capacity of at least 10,000 m3. The trend reflects the industry's move towards higher-capacity bunkering units designed to improve operational efficiency and economies of scale.
DNV expects the global fleet of LNG bunker vessels in service to exceed 100 ships by 2028, reflecting the growing infrastructure supporting LNG and bioLNG use in shipping, including the cruise sector.
