Global marine fuel trading firm Dan-Bunkering has successfully facilitated an LNG bunkering operation for the newly delivered pure car and truck carrier Ocean Express, owned by shipping company Sallaum Lines, according to Ship & Bunker.
The operation marks another milestone in a collaboration that has been more than a year in the making.
A Year of Planning Behind the Operation
According to Ship & Bunker, Dan-Bunkering has been assessing LNG sourcing options connected to Sallaum Lines’ newbuild programme since April 2025. The Ocean Express received approximately 1,400 metric tons of LNG during the operation, carried out via a ship-to-ship delivery solution in China.
The bunkering was executed in coordination with local supplier SIPG Energy, with additional support from Dan-Bunkering’s Netherlands office and specialists from its parent company, Bunker Holding.
Part of a Broader Newbuild Series
Ship & Bunker reports that the Ocean Express is one of six vessels in the series and the fourth for which Dan-Bunkering has supported LNG supply arrangements. Sallaum Lines took delivery of the vessel earlier in June 2026.
James Shiller, Global Lead of New Fuels at Dan-Bunkering, commented in the firm’s statement: “This is a great example of what it takes to support clients in the transition to alternative fuels.”
Does This Matter to You?
This development illustrates the growing infrastructure and coordination required to support LNG-fuelled vessels as they enter commercial service. As more car carriers and other vessel types are delivered under alternative fuel specifications, the logistics of securing compliant LNG supply — including ship-to-ship operations, cross-regional coordination, and local supplier partnerships — become increasingly central to fleet operations.
For those active in maritime fuel supply chains, the collaboration between an international trading firm, a local port energy supplier, and a European parent company highlights the multi-layered nature of LNG bunkering at scale. The fact that Dan-Bunkering has now supported LNG supply for four of the six vessels in this series points to how long-term planning is becoming a defining feature of alternative fuel procurement.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
