Cosco Shipping LNG Investment (Shanghai) has signed a construction contract for four 175,000 m³ LNG carriers with Jiangnan Shipyard.
The project is budgeted at RMB 6.45 billion (US$950 million), with deliveries scheduled from 2029 through 2030.
Contract terms: 175,000 m³ hulls, Jiangnan build, Shell charter
Jiangnan Shipyard will build the four LNG carriers under the construction contract.
After completion and handover, the vessels are planned to be deployed on a seven-year time charter with Shell Shipping (Singapore) Private Limited.
Delivery window: 2029–2030 handovers
Delivery of the newbuilds is scheduled from 2029 through 2030, placing the handovers at the end of the decade.
Design and demand support: cost-savings intent and “stable support” rationale
The project narrative ties charter agreements with Shell to “stable support” for LNG carrier construction demand.
The vessel design is described as intended to enable substantial operational cost savings for the charterer.
Corporate strategy: fleet optimization and alignment with energy policy
The company positions the program as aimed at optimizing its LNG fleet structure and strengthening independent operational capacity.
It also frames the project as being aligned with national energy development strategies.