The First LNG Bunkering for a Car Carrier in Western North America
In a groundbreaking move for sustainable shipping, Canada’s Seaspan Energy and Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have successfully completed the first-ever LNG bunkering of a car carrier in Western North America. The operation, which took place on March 1, 2025, marks a significant milestone in the region’s transition to cleaner maritime fuels.
Seaspan’s state-of-the-art 7,600 cubic meter (cbm) bunker vessel, Seaspan Garibaldi, delivered liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the 2023-built 7,000 CEU car carrier Lake Herman, moored in Vancouver’s English Bay. This ship-to-ship operation not only highlights the growing adoption of LNG as a low-carbon fuel but also positions MOL as the first Japanese shipping company to conduct LNG bunkering in Western North America.
Breaking Barriers in Clean Energy Adoption
For years, the lack of LNG fuel supply infrastructure in Western North America has been a major hurdle for shipping companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Yoshikazu Urushitani, General Manager of MOL’s Marine Fuel GX Division, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “Until now, there was no LNG fuel supply base in Western North America, limiting the deployment of LNG-fueled vessels. This successful operation with Seaspan Energy opens up new possibilities for environmentally friendly shipping and provides customers with more options for clean supply chains.”
Harly Penner, President of Seaspan Energy, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are proud to share this milestone with MOL. The Lake Herman is the first car carrier to be fueled by ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in Western North America, and we look forward to building on this success.”
Pioneering a Low-Carbon Future
This historic operation is just the latest in Seaspan Energy’s efforts to lead the charge in sustainable shipping. In November 2024, the company became the first to receive LNG bunkering accreditation from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA). Their first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in the Port of Vancouver took place on January 30, 2025, marking the introduction of a low-carbon fuel alternative in the region.
Seaspan Energy’s fleet of three LNG bunkering vessels—Seaspan Garibaldi, Seaspan Lions, and Seaspan Baker—is now operational along the West Coast of North America, signaling a new era of green shipping. With this infrastructure in place, the company is poised to support the growing demand for cleaner maritime fuels and help shipping companies meet their sustainability goals.
