Abu Dhabi-listed ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) is accelerating its fleet expansion after placing a $900 million order for four next-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, strengthening its capacity to serve rising global gas demand.
The new vessels, each offering a cargo capacity of 175,000 cubic metres, are scheduled to enter service in 2029. They will support the company’s expanding LNG operations, including its recently established LNG marketing and trading platform, which is aligned with ADNOC’s objective of making up to 47 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG available for the market by 2035.
Construction of the carriers has been awarded to Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai.
With this latest investment, ADNOC L&S’ LNG newbuild programme now stands at 18 vessels. The company has already received six LNG carriers valued at approximately $1.2 billion, five of which are operating under long-term agreements of up to 15 years with ADNOC Gas.
The newly ordered carriers are also expected to enter long-term charter arrangements once delivered, reinforcing the company’s strategy of securing stable, long-duration contracts.
Alongside the LNG fleet expansion, ADNOC L&S has taken delivery of the first of four Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs) ordered through AW Shipping, its joint venture formed in 2024 with China’s Wanhua Chemical Group. The partnership previously placed a $1.9 billion order covering four VLACs and nine Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs).
Meanwhile, construction is progressing on another eight LNG carriers representing an investment of roughly $2.5 billion. These ships are expected to be delivered from 2028 onward and have already been committed to 20-year time charter agreements with ADNOC Gas.
Including its 50% stake in the AW Shipping newbuild programme, ADNOC L&S has committed more than $5 billion toward expanding and modernising its fleet since 2022. The broader programme covers 32 vessels, with nine already delivered and the remaining 23 scheduled to join the fleet over the coming years.
