ADNOC L&S Receive First of the Six LNG Carriers from China

ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S), the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)-listed global energy maritime logistics leader, on Monday said that it has received ‘Al Shelila,’ the first of six new-build liquified natural gas (LNG) carriers from Jiangnan Shipyard in China.

The vessel has been delivered two months ahead of schedule, with the remaining five expected to be delivered in 2025 and 2026. Immediately after delivery “Al Shelila” will go on hire with a top-tier, global energy trader, the company said in a disclosure with ADX.

‘Al Shelila’s’ naming and delivery ceremony will be attended by Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai, Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S, Lin Ou, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard, Tony Liang, General Manager, Wanhua Chemical Group, Rong Yao of CSTC, Norbert Kray of DNV and other officials.

Al Shelila is the first vessel in a new series of LNG carriers designed by Jiangnan Shipbuilding in compliance with DNV class rules. It has three LNG cargo tanks and an air lubrication system consisting of eight air compressors in the bow and 16 air release units on the hull bottom form an air film between the hull and the water, thereby reducing wave resistance.

ADNOC L&S awarded shipbuilding contracts to Jiangnan Shipyard in 2022 for six LNG carriers as part of its strategic fleet expansion to meet the growing global demand for natural gas as a lower-carbon energy source.

During 2024, the company further strengthened and modernised its asset base with new build contracts for up to 23 new energy efficient vessels, including 8-10 LNG carriers, nine Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) and four Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs), adding in excess of 340 years of contracted income year-to-date.

In addition, the acquisition of Navig8, the world’s largest independent pool and commercial management company, is progressing well through regulatory approvals with completion anticipated by 31 March 2025 at the latest. The expected contribution of the acquisition will further boost ADNOC L&S’ profile as a global energy maritime logistics leader.

With its strong balance sheet, ADNOC L&S remains focused on executing its transformative growth strategy and on delivering strong shareholder value.

Biggest LNG Carrier

‘Al Shelila’ has a capacity of 175,000 cu.m., significantly larger than the 137,000 cu. M. capacity of ADNOC L&S’ current LNG carriers. Equipped with advanced energy-efficient technologies, including two new-generation LNG dual-fuel main engines, the vessel is designed to reduce methane emissions by up to 50% compared to older-generation technology.

The partnership between ADNOC L&S and Jiangnan Shipyard continues to strengthen. In 2020, AW Shipping, the strategic venture between ADNOC L&S and Wanhua Chemical, awarded Jiangnan Shipyard shipbuilding contracts for five Very Large Gas Carriers. This collaboration expanded in 2024 with further contracts for nine VLECs and four VLACs, the company added.

The continual expansion of its fleet with the delivery of eight additional Jack-Up Barges (JUBs), expanded the company’s JUBs fleet size to 42.

This is in addition to the delivery of four new-build Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) equipped with energy-efficient dual-fuel engines, and the deployment of five dual-fuel Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) into the AW Shipping fleet.