On June 2, China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Jiangnan Shipyard, in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC) and COSCO SHIPPING LNG Investment (Shanghai) Co., LTD., formally signed a contract for the construction of four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers. The vessels will be chartered by international energy giant Shell.
Jiangnan Shipyard stated that the four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers covered by this contract represent the company’s flagship, proven ship design. They incorporate an innovative, self-developed next-generation large twin-rudder hull form, which significantly enhances the vessels’ hydrodynamic performance.
The vessels are equipped with advanced systems, including the latest WinGD XDF 2.2 main engines—which use LNG as the primary fuel and integrate iCER and VCR technologies—as well as low-methane-escape generators, optimized shaft generators, and a reliquefaction system. By reducing fuel consumption fuel consumption, while significantly reducing carbon emissions and methane emissions.
As Jiangnan Shipyard’s latest generation of independently developed and designed intelligent and flexible LNG carrier solutions, it will substantially reduce operating costs for shipowners, creating long-term value for all partners and injecting new momentum into the stability and efficiency of the global clean energy supply chain.
According to an announcement released by COSCO SHIPPING Energy Transportation on the same day, the total contract value for the four LNG carriers to be built by Jiangnan Shipyard is 6.445 billion yuan (approximately $951 million), with each vessel costing approximately 1.61 billion yuan. Delivery is expected to take place between 2029 and 2030.
To date, Jiangnan Shipyard has secured orders for 10 LNG carriers in 2026.
On January 15, Jiangnan Shipyard signed a contract with Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping for the construction of two 175,000 m³ LNG carriers. This marks the first publicly announced LNG carrier order secured by a Chinese shipbuilder in 2026.
On January 30, Jiangnan Shipyard received another order for four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers, scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029. Minsheng Financial Leasing will act as the shipowner for this batch of LNG carriers, which will be leased on a long-term basis to Shell (Singapore) Trading Pte. Ltd. upon delivery. Shandong Ocean Energy will be responsible for commercial management, while Shell International Shipping will handle technical operations.