LONDON, UK | Octboer 24, 2025 – Avenir LNG, one of the world’s foremost providers of small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a pioneer in LNG bunkering, has marked another key milestone in its ambitious fleet expansion program with the steel cutting of its next 20,000 cubic meter (cbm) LNG bunkering vessel. The ceremony for Hull S1124 took place on 17 October 2025 at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) shipyard in China, signifying the start of construction on the second vessel in Avenir LNG’s latest newbuild series.
This development follows the steel cutting of Hull S1123 in July 2025, reaffirming Avenir LNG’s long-term strategy to expand its bunkering capacity and support the global transition toward lower-carbon marine fuels.
Building the Future of LNG Bunkering
The two new 20,000 cbm LNG bunkering vessels are designed to meet growing global demand for cleaner marine fuels while providing the flexibility and efficiency needed for the next generation of dual-fuel and alternative-fuel vessels.
Hull S1124 is scheduled for delivery in early 2027 and will enter service under a long-term charter agreement, expanding Avenir LNG’s ability to provide reliable supply solutions across key LNG bunkering hubs worldwide.
Equipped with low boil-off Type-C tank technology, optimized hull forms, and advanced dual-fuel propulsion systems, these vessels represent the cutting edge of sustainable bunkering design — capable of handling both LNG and future fuels such as bio-LNG, ensuring long-term compatibility as the maritime industry moves toward carbon neutrality.
Strengthening a Proven Partnership
Avenir LNG expressed appreciation to its long-standing shipbuilding partner, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE), for their continued collaboration and technical excellence in executing this project.
“A big thank you to our valued partners at CIMC SOE for their continued collaboration and expertise in bringing this project to life,” the company stated. “Their proven track record and commitment to innovation are key to ensuring the timely and successful delivery of our next-generation bunkering fleet.”
CIMC SOE, one of the world’s most experienced builders of liquefied gas carriers, has previously delivered several vessels for Avenir LNG, contributing to the company’s reputation for reliability and operational excellence in small-scale LNG supply.
Avenir LNG: Seven Years of Growth and Industry Leadership
This latest milestone comes as Avenir LNG celebrates seven years since its founding in 2018, marking a period of rapid growth, global expansion, and proven leadership in the small-scale LNG and bunkering markets.
In just seven years, Avenir LNG has:
- Become the largest pure-play owner of LNG bunkering vessels globally
- Delivered six LNG bunkering vessels to market, with two more under construction
- Conducted over 1,000 LNG bunkering operations across key maritime regions
- Handled more than 2 million tons of LNG through its integrated supply network
- Built a chartering forward book exceeding $500 million, ensuring sustainable long-term growth
- Established strategic partnerships with leading energy and shipping players, including Shell, Excelerate Energy, PETRONAS, Eni, Axpo Group, and Vitol
- Pioneered the first LNG bunkering operations in Southeast Asia, China, and the Caribbean
- Expanded its marine bunkering division “Avenir Marine” into a leading supplier of LNG and Bio-LNG across Northwest Europe and the Baltics
These achievements underscore Avenir LNG’s steadfast commitment to providing safe, flexible, and sustainable fuel solutions while accelerating the decarbonization of global shipping.
LNG Demand Surges as Infrastructure and Vessel Orders Accelerate
According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight (AFI) platform, LNG continues to dominate the alternative marine fuels landscape in 2025. The global order book currently includes 87 LNG-fuelled vessels totaling 14.2 million gross tons, with container vessels making up the bulk.
This surge in LNG newbuilds has driven a corresponding boom in bunkering capabilities. The fleet of LNG bunkering vessels has grown from just one in 2010 to 60 vessels currently in operation, with 13 more under construction. Globally, LNG bunkering is now available at 185 ports, with another 50 preparing to come online by 2026, demonstrating the rapid maturation of LNG supply infrastructure.
Avenir LNG’s accomplishments align perfectly with this broader market trajectory, showcasing the scalability and reliability of LNG bunkering operations that underpin the world’s growing LNG-powered fleet.
Global Fleet Expansion and Market Share Highlight LNG’s Long-Term Role
Globally, 590 LNG-fuelled vessels are already in operation, with another 564 on order as of mid 2025, highlighting LNG’s expanding footprint across the world fleet. These include some of the largest container ships ever built — proof of LNG’s ability to power high-capacity, long-distance commercial operations while meeting tightening emissions regulations.
LNG dual-fuel vessels now account for roughly one-third of all new ship orders, representing 142.5 million deadweight tons (DWT) or about 6% of total global fleet capacity. This data underscores LNG’s crucial role as the most mature, scalable, and immediately deployable solution for the maritime energy transition.
Fueling a Cleaner Maritime Future
Since its inception, Avenir LNG has delivered over 2 million cubic meters of LNG and successfully executed more than 1000 bunkering operations, building a reputation for excellence in reliability, safety, and innovation. Its flagship vessel, the Avenir Achievement, remains the world’s largest and most versatile LNG bunkering and supply vessel, exemplifying the company’s leadership in delivering practical decarbonization solutions to the maritime industry.
By combining innovative ship design, deep industry partnerships, and an end-to-end LNG supply chain, Avenir LNG continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the cleaner, more resilient maritime energy ecosystem of tomorrow.
Source: Avenir LNG Limited