UK-based midstream LNG & BioLNG company Avenir LNG has entered into a shipbuilding contract with China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (SOE) in China, a subsidiary of CIMC Enric, for two 20,000 cbm LNG bunker & supply vessels.
The newbuilds are scheduled to be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027. The units will have a length of 160 meters, a width of 25 meters and a design speed of 15.5 knots.
The ships will feature new Type C tank designs, lower boil off rates, the latest engine technologies, hull form optimisation, and subcoolers which offer carbon emission reductions and minimize cargo losses compared to other vessels of this size.
As explained, the vessel design enables maximum compatibility and versatility for loading and discharging LNG and BioLNG to a wide range of receiving vessels and terminals.
The major new investment program marks the second phase of growth for the company, increasing the fleet by 40% and 80% in terms of total capacity.
“We are pleased to be returning to SOE for our newbuilding programme and continuing our relationship with the shipyard where we successfully built our last four vessels. We look forward to welcoming these two new state-of-the-art vessels to our fleet in 2026 and 2027. With the demand for LNG and BioLNG as a bunker fuel set to grow over the next decade, these vessels will play a vital role in ensuring security of supply and decarbonising global shipping markets,” Jonathan Quinn , Managing Director of Avenir LNG, commented.
Avenir LNG, which was established by Stolt-Nielsen Gas, Golar LNG and GasLog, owns and operates a fleet of five LNG bunker and supply vessels with two vessels under construction and a small-scale LNG terminal in Sardinia, Italy.
CIMC SOE previously delivered two 20,000 cbm and two 7,500 cbm LNG bunker and supply vessels to Avenir LNG.