Recently, Samsung Heavy Industries held a launching ceremony for the 174,000 m3 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier “Minerva Roxanne”, built for Minerva Gas, a subsidiary of Greek shipping company Minerva Marine.
The steel-cutting ceremony for Minerva Roxanne was held in November 2024, the keel was laid in June 2025, and it was launched in just eight months. It is expected to be delivered in 2026.
Minerva Roxanne is the first vessel of two of the same type being built by Samsung Heavy Industries for Minerva Marine. Its sister vessel will be named Minerva Eleonora. Both vessels are equipped with MAN ME-GA propulsion systems and GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment systems from France, which are expected to significantly enhance fuel efficiency and safety.
Minerva Marine signed a shipbuilding contract with Samsung Heavy Industries in November 2022 for two LNG carriers, each valued at approximately $215 million. The company is currently advancing a long-term charter agreement with global energy giant ExxonMobil. However, the specific terms of the contract have not yet been officially confirmed.
Minerva Marine specializes in LNG carrier operations and currently owns and operates multiple LNG carriers.