KEY POINTS
- NLNG has ordered three new LNG carriers with a combined capacity of 522,000 cubic metres from Chinese shipbuilders.
- The vessels will feature advanced technology aimed at improving fuel efficiency, lowering costs and reducing emissions.
- Scheduled for delivery in 2029, the ships are expected to strengthen NLNG’s export operations and support local maritime development.
Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, has announced plans to strengthen its shipping operations with the acquisition of three new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers as part of efforts to increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and support its expanding export activities.
The company said its wholly owned subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), has signed agreements with China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group and China Shipbuilding Trading Company for the construction of the vessels.
According to NLNG, the three ships will have a combined carrying capacity of 522,000 cubic metres, with each vessel capable of transporting 174,000 cubic metres of liquefied natural gas.
The vessels will be equipped with modern X-DF propulsion technology, which is expected to improve fuel efficiency and significantly reduce emissions when compared with older ships currently in operation.
NLNG disclosed that the ships are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and will be chartered to the company, while their operations and management will be handled by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML).
The company noted that the addition of the vessels would help lower fuel consumption per voyage, reduce bunker costs, and improve operating margins, especially at a time of fluctuating global energy prices.
Focus on sustainability
NLNG said the vessels would also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, helping the company comply with increasingly stringent international and European Union environmental regulations.
The company added that maintaining its OGMP 2.0 Level 5 rating and meeting global environmental standards would protect its access to international markets and enhance its attractiveness to environmentally conscious buyers and investors.
“The new vessels will further strengthen NLNG’s ability to deliver cleaner energy to the world and support the company’s commitment to sustainability and operational excellence,” the company stated.
NLNG explained that the new carriers are expected to require less maintenance and experience fewer mechanical failures, thereby improving schedule reliability and ensuring timely delivery of cargoes that contribute to export earnings and government revenues.
The company also highlighted that the involvement of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited in managing the vessels would support the development of local maritime expertise, create employment opportunities, and boost technical services related to vessel operations and regulatory compliance.
BGT described the agreement as an important milestone in its fleet renewal programme, noting that the investment aligns with global industry expectations for cleaner and more efficient shipping while strengthening NLNG’s competitiveness in the international LNG market.
