Maritime Industry Briefing: LNG Shipment to Europe, Navy Ship Collision, and Shipbuilding Orders

## Gas-Hungry Europe to Get Rare LNG Shipment from China In a rare move highlighting Europe's push to refill dwindling natural gas inventories, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment reloaded from China is heading to the continent, according to gCaptain. China is the world's top buyer of LNG, so this shipment represents an unusual reversal of trade flows as Europe scrambles to secure alternative energy sources in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. ## US Navy Ships Collide During Refueling Two U.S. Navy ships collided during a refueling operation in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, the U.S. Southern Command reported to Reuters. While there were no major injuries, the incident underscores the risks and complexities of naval operations at sea. The U.S. Navy is investigating the cause of the collision between the warship and supply vessel. ## Scorpio Tankers Expands Newbuild Order, AD Ports Enters Cameroon In other maritime news, Scorpio Tankers has doubled its order for scrubber-fitted LR2 product tankers at China's Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., the company announced alongside its Q4 2022 earnings, as reported by Splash247. Meanwhile, AD Ports Group has partnered with Africa Ports Development on a 30-year concession to develop and operate a new dry bulk terminal at the Port of Douala in Cameroon, further expanding the Abu Dhabi-based operator's footprint in West and Central Africa. Additionally, Taiwanese carrier Wan Hai Lines has ordered six new container ships at Huangpu-Wenchong Shipbuilding, according to Seatrade Maritime. These developments highlight ongoing activity in the LNG, tanker, dry bulk, and container shipping sectors as the maritime industry navigates market conditions and pursues strategic growth opportunities.