Seaspan Energy Completes Canada’s ‘First’ STS LNG Bunkering at Port of Vancouver
Seaspan Energy, a Canada-based shipowner, has successfully carried out what is being recognized as the country’s ‘first’ ship-to-ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation for a container vessel at the Port of Vancouver. The milestone event took place in English Bay on March 9, 2025, utilizing the 7,600 cbm Seaspan Garibaldi, one of the three LNG bunkering vessels in the company’s fleet, alongside its sister ships, Seaspan Lions and Seaspan Baker.
During the operation, French shipping giant CMA CGM’s 7,900 TEU vessel, CMA CGM Pointe Du Piton, received liquefied natural gas. The boxship, built in 2024 by South Korean shipbuilding leader HD Hyundai Samho, marks a step forward in the adoption of LNG as a cleaner fuel alternative.
Reflecting on this milestone, Harly Penner, President of Seaspan Energy, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in the bunker market, especially in Canada, as LNG continues to gain traction as a transitional fuel. According to Penner, Seaspan’s fleet of 112-meter-long bunker vessels is well-positioned to support the evolving LNG bunkering sector along North America’s West Coast.
On the importance of safe refueling operations, Shri Madiwal, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain at Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA), underscored that ensuring reliable bunkering services is vital to the Port of Vancouver’s role in enabling Canada’s trade. “We are pleased to collaborate with industry leaders to aid the shipping sector’s decarbonization efforts, including accrediting Seaspan Energy to provide LNG as a cleaner alternative fuel for in-port operations,” Madiwal stated.
Adding to this, Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and MP for North Vancouver, noted that Canada is strengthening its economic resilience amid shifting global energy regulations. He highlighted that exporting LNG with ultra-low production emissions can address market vulnerabilities while reducing global emissions and reinforcing trade ties with trusted allied nations. “This is especially relevant in marine transportation,” Wilkinson stressed.
Seaspan made history in November 2024 by securing the first LNG bunkering accreditation from the VFPA, enabling ship-to-ship bunkering for LNG-powered vessels at the Port of Vancouver. This achievement carries additional significance as ships opting for alternative fuels like LNG may qualify for the VFPA’s EcoAction incentive. This program offers up to a 75% reduction in harbour dues to operators investing in green fuels, technology, or environmental initiatives.
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