Built in 1945 as a cargo ship named Marline Hitch, the vessel was renamed Don Aurelio and Normarti before being rebuilt in 1958 for the purpose of transporting LNG and operated between 1959 and 1972.
Methane Pioneer was built as yard number 344 by Walter Butler Shipbuilders in Duluth, Minnesota as a Type C1-M-AV1 cargo ship for the United States Maritime Commission.
[3] The project was funded by the British Gas Council and was operated by a joint venture company called Constock International Methane (CIM).
CIM was formed as a partnership between Conoco and Union Stock Yards, and renamed Conch International Methane when Shell joined in 1959.
[3] Methane Pioneer was later renamed Aristotle and operated by Stephenson Clarke Shipping, making 30 voyages between 1959 and 1972,[5] when it was withdrawn from service and converted into a storage barge for LNG.