A new LNG bunkering and transport vessel has commenced operations in Genoa, according to San Giorgio del Porto.

The Green Pearl, which has a capacity of 7,500 cbm of LNG, was built by Genoese shipyard San Giorgio del Porto, part of Genova Industrie Navali, for G&H Shipping. The vessel is owned by G&H Shipping, a joint venture between Gas and Heat and San Giorgio del Porto, and operates under a long-term charter contract with Axpo Group.

Sofipa, the holding company of the Ottavio Novella shipping group, has recently joined the ownership structure, according to the announcement.

The ship-to-ship capability of the dual-fuel, electrically propelled Green Pearl allows it to bunker vessels at sea or in port, whilst its ship-to-truck functionality enables it to supply LNG to road transport infrastructure.

"Green Pearl represents an advanced innovation model for maritime and land-based energy logistics, supporting the decarbonization of the maritime and road transport sectors, strengthening Italy's role as a strategic hub for the distribution of natural gas in the Mediterranean and making a concrete contribution to strengthening the country's energy security," San Giorgio del Porto said.