en.Wedoany.com Reported - On June 3, COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "COSCO Shipping Energy") announced that its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Yuanhai LNG Investment Co., Ltd., signed a contract with Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. to build four 175,000 cubic meter LNG carriers, with a total investment of 6.445 billion yuan.
According to the plan, the aforementioned vessels will be delivered between 2029 and 2030. After delivery, they will be chartered to Shell Tankers (Singapore) Private Limited for a period of seven years, with charter hire totaling approximately 5.4 billion yuan during the lease term. COSCO Shipping Energy stated that this transaction is an important measure to serve the national energy strategy. Through this transaction, the company will enhance its independent marketing and operational capabilities, solidifying its international strategic layout.
"The Asian energy security crisis is giving rise to a new wave of super investment cycles, which will reshape the global shipping landscape in the short term," Morgan Stanley pointed out. This transformation will continue to drive up new orders for tankers, accelerate the expansion of shipyard capacity, and keep the supply of energy shipping capacity across all categories, including crude oil tankers, product tankers, LNG carriers, and coal bulk carriers, in a state of sustained shortage.
Public information shows that COSCO Shipping Energy primarily engages in oil tanker and LNG transportation, boasting the world's largest oil tanker fleet and being the most comprehensive tanker owner in terms of vessel types. In the LNG transportation sector, as of the end of 2025, the company has participated in the investment and construction of 87 LNG carriers, of which 63 LNG vessels have been put into operation, all serving under long-term charters, providing relatively stable returns.
It is understood that currently, in the global LNG fleet, most shipowners sign long-term time charter contracts with charterers. This model can provide shipping companies with stable charter hire and investment returns, while also offering reliable capacity supply to energy trading parties.
"International oil tanker transportation has accelerated into a boom period, with the freight rate center expected to further rise in 2026. China's crude oil transportation demand is projected to achieve modest growth based on 2025 levels," COSCO Shipping Energy stated. Supported by high vessel prices, elevated financing costs, and optimistic medium- to long-term transportation demand, medium- to long-term charter rates for LNG carriers are expected to remain firm, and activity in the medium- to long-term charter market is set to further increase in 2026.
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