Shipbroker MB Shipbrokers reports that Bonny Gas Transport (BGT) has placed an order for three additional 174,000 m³ liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, with delivery expected in 2029.
The new vessels are equipped with X-DF low-pressure dual-fuel propulsion systems and will be chartered on a long-term basis by Nigeria LNG upon delivery. Nigeria LNG is one of Africa’s largest LNG exporters, with an annual production capacity exceeding 22 million metric tons. As a shipping subsidiary of NLNG, BGT operates Africa’s largest dedicated LNG carrier fleet, ensuring the reliable transportation of LNG for NLNG.
If this order is confirmed, it will mark another collaboration between BGT and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in the LNG carrier sector. The first collaboration between BGT and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding began on December 16, 2025, when the two parties signed a contract for the construction of a total of 3+3 174,000 m³ LNG carriers, thereby launching the first Sino-African cooperation in the construction of LNG carriers. This order marks Hudong-Zhonghua’s successful entry into the African market, breaking BGT’s previous pattern of collaborating exclusively with foreign shipyards. The first three vessels will also be chartered on a long-term basis by Nigeria LNG.
Excluding the latest orders, Hudong-Zhonghua has secured a total of 9+7 LNG carriers for 2026: On January 21, Hudong-Zhonghua signed a contract with Greece’s TMS Cardiff Gas for 4+2 174,000 m³ LNG carriers, marking its first LNG carrier order of 2026; On January 30, Hudong-Zhonghua signed a contract with MISC for 3+3 174,000 m³ LNG carriers; on February 27, it signed a contract with MISC for a second batch of 2+2 174,000 m³ LNG carriers.
Overall, Chinese shipyards have announced orders for 22+7 LNG carriers for 2026, all of which will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua and Jiangnan Shipyard, with 12+7 and 10 vessels, respectively.
Jiangnan Shipyard’s orders for LNG carriers in 2026 were announced in January and June: on January 15, the shipbuilder signed a contract with Singapore’s EPS for two 175,000 m³ LNG carriers, securing the first such order for a Chinese shipyard for 2026 delivery; on January 30, it received an order from Minsheng Financial Leasing for four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers, which are to be chartered to Shell on a long-term basis upon delivery; and on June 2, it signed a contract with COSCO SHIPPING Energy for four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers, which will also operate under a charter with Shell following delivery.