BW orders LNG carrier duo in South Korea

The Oslo-based LNG carrier operator said in a social media post on Tuesday that it ordered two LNG newbuildings from HD Hyundai Group, scheduled for delivery in the early fourth quarter of 2028.

According to BW LNG, the two LNG ships will feature a “state-of-the-art design that enables the industry’s lowest fuel consumption and emissions.”

Both vessels will be equipped with XDF 2.2 propulsion with VCR, shaft generators, and a full reliquefaction system.

The vessels also have “some interesting technical options which we will look to develop further with clients,” BW LNG said.

Last week, HD Hyundai Samho secured an order to build two LNG carriers for approximately $508 million.

Hyundai Samho’s parent HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said that the shipbuilder will build the vessels for an unidentified owner in North America.

The delivery of the two LNG carriers is expected to be completed by November 2028.

Shipbuilding sources said at the time that there have been several recent moves regarding potential orders for two LNG carriers, including requests by BW LNG, Evalend, and Asyad.

Brokers also reported that BW LNG was behind this order.

According to BW LNG’s website, the two new vessels (H8340 and H8341) will each have a capacity of 177,000 cbm, and not 174,000 cbm.

BW LNG’s fleet now includes 29 vessels, including nine steam carriers built between 2004 and 2008.

In 2022, BW LNG confirmed orders for four 174,000-cbm ME-GI LNG carriers at Hanwha Ocean, previously known as DSME.

The company has two more of these vessels under construction and scheduled for delivery this year.

In addition to LNG carriers, BW LNG also operates four FSRUs.