Seaspan bunkers first cruise ship with LNG in Vancouver

Seaspan Energy has completed the first LNG bunkering of a cruise ship in the Port of Vancouver, supplying Silversea’s Silver Nova ahead of its departure for Alaska.

IMAGE: The Seaspan Garibaldi delivering LNG to the Silver Nova in Vancouver. LinkedIn of Seaspan

The ship-to-ship operation was carried out by the LNG bunker vessel Seaspan Garibaldi. It marks the first time a cruise vessel has taken on LNG in Vancouver, and the latest in a series of LNG deliveries by Seaspan since it became the first accredited LNG bunkering supplier in the port in late 2024.

LNG is the only alternative fuel currently available in significant quantities for international shipping in Vancouver, and the first to be approved for local bunker operations.

While LNG is a fossil fuel with a significant carbon footprint, the port authority says it is developing infrastructure and protocols to support low-emission fuels like methanol and ammonia in future.

Seaspan operates three LNG bunker vessels on the West Coast of North America. It has previously supplied LNG to container ships, car carriers and bulk carriers calling at Vancouver.

Biofuels have been available for several years, but only been bunkered in the port in limited volumes, Seaspan says, pointing to LNG being the first large-scale alternative to oil-based marine fuels.

Vancouver expects 301 cruise ship calls this year, primarily for sailings to and from Alaska.

By Erik Hoffmann

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