LNGC orders rebound, with 35 new ships contracted in Q1
Orders for LNG carriers are rebounding with Korean and Chinese shipbuilders contracting 35 new LNGC builds in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 37 over the entire last year. Commissioning of Atlantic Basin capacity spurs tanker demand, offsetting fears that Middle East supply disruption may curb shipping demand.
LNG vessel orders halve, substantial rebound not before 2028
Orders for LNG vessels have more than halved, with only 38 ships ordered in the first nine months of 2025 – a substantial 56% decline. Investment could pick up from 2026 as more LNG export capacity comes to market and d shipyard capacity expands.
LNG shipping faces headwinds; Drewry
Continuing weak demand and excess tonnage are set to depress LNG shipping earnings in the near term, Drewry analysts forecast. Yet there's a silver lining further out, as rates will rebound over anticipated vessel shortages once an array of proposed liquefaction projects start operation.
