[KOLB Press release/ August 9, 2024] Korea LNG Bunkering Inc. (KOLB), a subsidiary of Korea Gas Corporation, has successfully conducted its first LNG bunkering with simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) at Busan Port.

On August 8, 2024, the LNG bunker ship "Blue Whale" supplied 270 tons of LNG to CMA CGM’s container ship, which operates on the Asia-Japan route, at Pier 5 of Busan's new port.

This operation marks the first SIMOPS LNG bunkering for LNG-powered container ships in Korea, demonstrating Busan Port’s capability to handle such complex operations and enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage.

The "Blue Whale," which was built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in May 2023 and has a tank capacity of 7,500㎥, previously conducted a SIMOPS bunkering operation at Gwangyang Steelworks Pier on October 28, 2023, where it supplied approximately 1,000 tons of LNG to the bulk carrier "HL-Eco."

Currently, South Korea has three dedicated LNG bunker ships: the "Blue Whale" (7,500㎥), the "Green Nuri" (6,000㎥), and the "K LNG Dream" (500㎥), which support the country’s growing role in the LNG bunkering market.

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