Global ship management company, V.Ships France, has signed a Ship Management Agreement with Eastaway France, a subsidiary of X-Press Feeders, the world’s largest independent feeder carrier, for the technical management of four methanol-powered dual fuel vessels.

The four newbuild, 1,170 TEU container vessels will sail under the French Flag and will operate across Europe. The first vessel will be delivered from the shipyard in summer 2024, and the last by the middle of September 2024. These vessels will be the first such vessels operated under the French Flag.

Thierry Sarazin, Managing Director of V.Ships France, commented: “I am delighted to have signed the agreement with Eastaway to manage their four new vessels, demonstrating our dual fuel experience and high standard of service. This opportunity consolidates our expertise in dual fuel operations, both ashore and onboard, and will increase the number of V. seafarers with experience of dual fuel vessels, allowing us to strengthen our offering as we train seafarers to handle methanol.”

Jean-François Luiggi, Managing Director, Eastaway France Ship Management, said: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Eastaway as we embark on the journey towards sustainable shipping. With V.Ships’ proven expertise in dual fuel operations and unwavering commitment to service excellence, we are confident in its ability to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of our vessels. Together, we are leading the industry by pioneering a new era of more sustainable shipping.”

X-Press Feeders’ first feeder services, using dual-fuel vessels powered by green methanol, will be on the Rotterdam-Antwerp Bruges-Riga-Klaipeda-Rotterdam and Rotterdam-Antwerp Bruges-Helsinki-Tallinn-Kotka routes starting in 2024’s third quarter.

V.Ships France is currently managing six dual fuel vessels (3 LPG and 3 LNG dual fuel), including two LNG bunker vessels, for which they also manage the LNG bunkering operations.