[KOLBIA/ May 11, 2023] Korea LNG Bunkering Inc. (KOLB), a subsidiary of Korea Gas Corporation, has held a naming ceremony for its first-ever domestic LNG bunker vessel on May 10, 2023.

The newly named "Blue Whale" was constructed by Hyundai Heavy Industries at Ulsan shipyard under a contract worth KRW 55.3 billion ($41.74 million). The vessel is equipped with the advanced Korean-type KC-2 cargo storage design, an upgraded version of the KC-1, which was developed between 2004 to 2014.

The new vessel has a capacity of 7,500 cubic meters of LNG fuel, which is a significant increase compared to the average 30 cubic meters carried by a truck. The increase in capacity is expected to reduce the time and space constraints of LNG bunkering.

The Blue Whale is set to provide domestic LNG bunkering service once it enters operation.