Cosco Shipping’s LNG fleet continues to grow

Among these vessels, 52 LNG carriers with a total capacity of 8.763 million cubic meters have been put into operation, 35 LNG carriers with a total capacity of 6.285 million cubic meters are under construction, while one 174,000-cbm bareboat chartered vessel has also been put into operation, according to CSET.

CSET’s first-half report shows that it owns 12 operational LNG carriers with an average age of 4.9 years, while nine wholly owned vessels are currently under construction.

Additionally, the LNG fleet comprises 40 jointly owned vessels with an average age of seven years, as well as 26 vessels under construction.

The group is a leader in China’s LNG shipping business and owns a 100 percent stake in Cosco Shipping LNG Investment (Shanghai), or CSLNG, and a 50 percent stake in China LNG Shipping (Holdings), or CLNG.

CSET noted that the commissioned vessels are all engaged in long-term charters, providing “relatively stable” income.

In the first half of 2025, the group’s LNG shipping segment contributed the profit attributable to equity holders of the company of 424 million yuan ($59.4 million), representing a year-on-year increase of 5.7 percent.

The group has “actively addressed the challenges posed by intensive new shipbuilding, and strictly monitored the construction of vessels.”

During the first half, two LNG carriers were delivered.

In addition, CSET has “strengthened the construction of the crew pool, comprehensively selected and trained LNG crews, and built a high-quality crew team and LNG carrier management talent team by continuously facilitating the construction of LNG ordering classes and promoting the transformation of crew, onshore assignments, and “dual-role” initiatives.”