France’s bunkering and coastal oil shipping specialist Maritima, a subsidiary of the Sogestran Group, has announced the construction of two new bunker vessels for long-time partner Petroineos at China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard.
Partners for over three decades, the two companies are renewing their fleet dedicated to bunkering operations in the Fos, Marseille, and Toulon areas.
The new units, designed for the simultaneous transport of three different products, will be able to supply low carbon fuels, including B24, B100, HVO and e-methanol, alongside marine diesel and all types of fuel oils.
Each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 4,500 m³ and will be equipped with two electric azimuth thrusters at the stern and a bow tunnel thruster. Certified for oil and chemical transport, they will replace the existing units Florence B, Tatiana B, and Cap Pinede.
Shore power connection will also be fitted in the vessels alongside a diesel-electric propulsion.
Each product line will be equipped with a mass flow meter for quantity delivery monitoring. Crew welfare has been considered too, with private cabins, en-suite facilities, and a gym.
The unit’s design has been specifically developed to optimise access to the Petroineos refinery jetties in Lavera.
Sogestran Group said the China Merchants Industry Yangzhou Dingheng Shipyard was selected after a nearly two-year process of tendering, studies, and evaluation.
Steel cutting for the first vessel is scheduled for November 2026, with launch in 2027 and delivery expected in early 2028.
