Avenir LNG announced on Monday that its new LNG bunkering vessel, Avenir Ambition, had been launched at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Avenir Ambition is the first vessel from the company’s latest newbuilding programme to reach the launch stage. Final outfitting will be completed before the vessel enters the Avenir LNG fleet.

The company’s website lists five LNG bunkering vessels. Some are operated by Avenir LNG, while others are chartered to companies.

Two 20,000 m3 LNG bunkering vessels are also under construction. One is expected to be delivered later this year, with Avenir Ambition appearing to be the first of the pair.

In its social media announcement, Avenir LNG linked the launch to the continued expansion of its fleet and efforts to strengthen LNG supply chains worldwide. The company said the vessel would support customers and increase its market presence as demand for flexible and reliable LNG logistics grows.

Michael Redpath, head of operations at Avenir LNG, said in a LinkedIn post published yesterday that he expected Avenir Ambition to complete final outfitting and join the fleet, where it would support customers worldwide.

Earlier this year, Stolt-Nielsen agreed to sell a 50% stake in Avenir LNG to Japanese company NYK Line.