LNG

A second Russian-build ice-class LNG carrier, the Konstantin Posiet, is heading to Asia via the Northern Sea Route, underscoring Moscow’s push to sustain Arctic LNG exports despite Western sanctions.

Asyad Shipping has agreed to sell minority stakes in the companies that own its two newest carriers, Muscat LNG and Musandam LNG, to two Omani investors. The deal leaves Asyad with 80% of each vessel-owning company and brings domestic capital into the group’s gas-shipping platform.

ADNOC Logistics & Services has placed an order for four LNG carriers at China’s Jiangnan Shipyard in a deal valued at around US$900 million. Each of the newbuild vessels will have a capacity of 175 000 cubic meters and is scheduled for delivery in 2029.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz resumes, with 22 Japan-linked ships, including six large crude oil tankers and several LNG carriers, transited the strait to exit between July 7 and 9, transport minister Yasushi Kaneko said at a news conference in Tokyo. The number of Japan-flagged vessels in the Gulf has fallen from 45 to just four, with shipowners declining to comment on safety precautions for the crew.

Denmark-based Svanehøj has signed a contract with Drydocks World Dubai to supply LTD gauging systems for the conversion of the LNG carrier LNG Bayelsa into the floating storage unit (FSU) Cap Lopez. Drydocks World Dubai sees strong demand for such conversions amid rising global interest in floating LNG units for flexible gas supply in off-grid regions.

Malaysia’s Petronas has taken delivery of the newbuilt LNG carrier Puteri Kedah, following delivery of a the similar-sized Puteri Johor LNGC on late May. Both vessels are owned by the joint venture companies of ‘K’ LINE.

LNG carrier ordering activity in the first half of 2026 has rebounded from last year’s slowdown, with MS Cardiff Gas, Hayfin and BW LNG again seen circling Korean shipyards for 2029 delivery windows.

Delivery of 17 LNG carrier newbuildings tied to the TotalEnergies-led 12.8 mtpa Mozambique LNG project has been delayed, with shareholders asking shipyards Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries to defer declaration dates to September 2026.

Qatar is repositioning LNG carriers back into the Middle East Gulf as loadings resume and is understood to be seeking short-term charter coverage. Offtakers are counting on QatarEnergy’s promise to reinstate at least half of Ras Laffan production capacity within a month of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz being restored.

The US-Iran memorandum has been signed by both presidents, ahead of Friday's scheduled ceremony, and commits Iran to clearing Hormuz of mines within 30 days. Yet ADNOC's carriers are holding back: four sit dark off Khor Fakkan, home from earlier delivery runs, even as Qatar's Disha ran the strait in the open just as the deal broke.