Two LNG newbuilds ordered from Chinese shipyard by logistics unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), the owner of the Das Island LNG export plant in the United Arab Emirates, said its logistics arm had signed a contract with a Chinese shipyard for two newbuild LNG carriers.
Adnoc Logistics and Services (Adnoc L&S) said the two vessels with 175,000 cubic metres capacity would join the existing fleet in 2025.
“The purchase, part of the company’s broader growth and expansion strategy, further reinforces its position as the UAE’s leading shipping and maritime operator,” said Adnoc L&S.
“The new LNG vessels will be crucial enablers of Adnoc’s 2030 growth strategy, supporting its existing LNG business as well as its ambitions to grow its LNG production capacity,” the company explained.
The two carriers will be built at the Jiangnan Shipyard, located northeast of Shanghai on Changxing Island at the mouth of the Yangtze River.
Adnoc L&S has the largest and most diversified fleet of vessels within the Middle East and its trading fleet transports crude oil, refined products, dry bulk, containerised cargo, liquefied petroleum gas and LNG to global markets through its owned and chartered vessels.
Growth strategy
“The expansion and modernisation of our LNG fleet will be a key enabler of Adnoc L&S’ growth strategy. This acquisition helps future-proof our fleet with more sustainable, modern vessels capable of serving our customers for the next 25 years and deepens our partnership with Jiangnan Shipyard,” explained Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, Chief Executive of Adnoc L&S.
Adnoc L&S currently has eight LNG carriers among its fleet of over 40 vessels.
The newbuild LNG vessels are significantly larger than the current Adnoc L&S fleet of LNG ship which each have a capacity of 137,000 cubic metres.
Lin Ou, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard, said the yard was proud to continue its relationship with Adnoc L&S.
“This order for large LNG carriers is another milestone in the strategic portfolio of Jiangnan shipyard. We are committed to delivering these vessels on time, with good quality and ensuring the highest possible customer satisfaction,” stated Lin.
The Das Island LNG plant produces about 6 million tonnes per annum of LNG and came on stream in 1977 as the first liquefaction and production facility in the Arabian Gulf.
The plant is 70 percent owned by Adnoc and the other shareholders are Japan’s Mitsui & Co with 15 percent, UK major BP with 10 percent and TotalEnergies with 5 percent.
