ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) has exercised options for two additional LNG carriers at Jiangnan Shipyard, adding $444m to its newbuilding bill and lifting its LNG newbuilding programme to 20 ships, according to Splash247. The two 175,000 cu m vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and are expected to secure long-term charter employment, the maritime news outlet reported.
Fleet Expansion at Jiangnan Shipyard
The latest options exercise follows a $900m order placed at Jiangnan in July for four ships of the same size, which took the programme to 18 vessels, Splash247 reported. With the two new options, the programme now stands at 20 ships. ADNOC L&S has already taken delivery of six 175,000 cu m LNG carriers from the Chinese yard under an earlier $1.2bn package, with five fixed to ADNOC Gas on contracts of up to 15 years, according to Splash247. Including four older LNG carriers already in the fleet, the Abu Dhabi-listed company is set to have 24 LNG ships once its current orderbook has been delivered.
2026 Spending Programme
ADNOC L&S has now committed around $2.7bn to vessel acquisitions and newbuildings in 2026, according to Splash247. The spending spree includes the $1.3bn acquisition of six very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and five very large gas carriers (VLGCs) announced earlier this month. The LNG carrier options are part of a broader fleet expansion that spans multiple tanker segments.
LNG Newbuild Programme at a Glance
The table below summarises the known transactions reported by Splash247:
| Transaction | Vessels | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlier Jiangnan package | Six 175,000 cu m LNG carriers | $1.2bn | Delivered |
| July Jiangnan order | Four 175,000 cu m LNG carriers | $900m | On order |
| New exercised options | Two 175,000 cu m LNG carriers | $444m | Due 2029 |
| VLCC/VLGC acquisition | Six VLCCs, five VLGCs | $1.3bn | Announced earlier this month |
Implications for Shippers and Operators
For shippers and charterers tracking LNG tonnage, the expansion of ADNOC L&S's own fleet increases the number of vessels the company controls, based on Splash247's reporting. The two newbuilds due in 2029 are expected to secure long-term charter employment, and five of the six earlier-delivered ships are already fixed to ADNOC Gas on contracts of up to 15 years, according to Splash247. The 2026 spending programme also includes the $1.3bn acquisition of six VLCCs and five VLGCs announced earlier this month, meaning ADNOC L&S is investing across LNG, crude and gas carrier segments simultaneously, the outlet reported.
These orders add to the company's committed capital of around $2.7bn for vessel acquisitions and newbuildings in 2026. Once the current orderbook is fully delivered, ADNOC L&S will operate 24 LNG ships in total, including four older carriers, according to Splash247. The six earlier-delivered carriers, the four July orders and the two new options are all 175,000 cu m LNG carriers, based on the vessel details reported by the outlet.
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