Australian energy company Woodside Energy has officially launched its liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Louisiana, USA, resulting in large-scale orders for LNG carriers.
Woodside Energy is in discussions with several shipyards regarding the construction of 16 to 20 new LNG carriers, according to TradeWinds. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030.
According to Clarkson’s October 10th newbuilding market prices, the current cost of a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier stands at $250 million per vessel. Based on this calculation, the order value could reach up to $5 billion.
The report stated that in placing this order, Woodside Energy considered not only the cost and construction technology of new vessels but also “U.S. countermeasures against China’s shipbuilding industry” as a key factor, such as U.S. port fee policies.
With the newbuild market for LNG carriers split between Chinese and South Korean shipyards, South Korean media reports indicate that due to factors such as U.S. port fee policies, South Korean shipbuilders hold a greater advantage in securing major orders from Woodside Energy. It is also reported that domestic shipyards have already reserved shipbuilding slots for 2028 for this purpose.
Although the U.S. government has determined to impose port fees on vessels owned, operated, or constructed by China starting October 14, 2025, LNG carriers classified as Category 132 under the International Classification of Ship Types (ICST) are explicitly exempted from the fees according to the latest published list of fee targets and standards.
Should Chinese shipbuilders compete for Woodside Energy’s new LNG carrier construction project, this exemption could give them an added advantage.
Woodside Energy’s LNG project in Louisiana involves a total investment of $17.5 billion. The project plans to develop five LNG production lines in four phases, with an expected annual production capacity of 27.6 million metric tons. Last year, the company acquired U.S. LNG developer Tellurian for $900 million, thereby securing its stake in this development project.
In April this year, Woodside Energy made a final investment decision (FID) on three LNG production lines with an annual capacity of 16.5 million tons, marking the project’s entry into its substantive development phase. Scheduled to commence operations in 2029, the project will require new vessels, thereby generating this large order for up to 20 LNG carriers.