Next year, the world’s first purpose-built LNG bunker vessels will be delivered — one in Europe and another in North America.

Japanese shipowner NYK, working with France’s Engie, trading house Mitsubishi Corp and terminal operator Fluxys, will see its 5,100-cbm newbuilding swing into action at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge from 2016 supplying car carrier owner United European Car Carriers (UECC)’s LNG-fuelled newbuildings.

Across