China's Cnooc to start dry dock for LNG bunker barge early July

China's LNG bunker supplier, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, plans to start a dry dock for its LNG bunker barge Hai Yang Shi You 301 from early July for one month, a company source said May 28.

Hai Yang Shi You 301 has the capacity to carry 30,422 cu m of LNG, according to data from Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.

During the dry dock, Cnooc's other bunker barge, Hai Yang Shi You 302, which typically supplies LNG bunker in east China, is planned to go to Shenzhen to compensate for the absence of Hai Yang Shi You 301, the source added.

There are five LNG bunker barges across China, with two typically based in South China. The other three ships are in east China.

Meanwhile, the absence of one barge in China may tighten barge supply in July, while the supply is still sufficient at the moment, industry sources said.

LNG bunker demand in China is expected to grow this year as more LNG dual-fuel ships are launched.

In China, Shanghai International Port Group, Cnooc, PetroChina, and ENN supply LNG bunker fuel. Sales were about 358,000 mt in 2024, according to a bunker supplier.

Platts assessed east China LNG delivered bunker at $14.578/MMBtu on May 28.