BW LNG has expanded its future fleet with a USD 502 million order for two additional 177,000-cbm newbuildings at HD Hyundai Samho, scheduled for delivery in Q2 and Q3 2029. This repeat contract completes a four-ship sister series introducing the industry’s first large-scale three-tank containment design, engineered to maximize cargo capacity and lower fuel emissions.
Singapore | May 14, 2026 – Driving a major technological shift in gas shipping economics, BW LNG has expanded its next-generation newbuilding program with an order for two additional 177,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Samho.
The high-spec dual-fuel sister vessels, scheduled for delivery in the second and third quarters of 2029 (Q2 and Q3 2029), represent a repeat contract following an initial two-vessel order placed in November 2025. This brings the specialized “next generation” series to four identical vessels, with total investment estimates for the latest pair hovering near USD 502 million (KRW 748.5 billion).
Technical Disruption: The Three-Tank Concept
The hallmark feature of this four-ship series is the integration of the industry’s first large-scale three-tank containment system for large LNG carriers 80,000 cbm, departing from the traditional four-tank layout that has dominated the sector for decades.
Developed via close technical collaboration between BW LNG, French membrane containment specialists GTT, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the structural design introduces major operational and thermodynamic efficiencies:
- Increased Capacity & Lower Costs: Eliminating one complete cofferdam and its associated cryogenic equipment (pump towers, liquid/gas domes, valves, piping, and instrumentation) reduces the hull’s lightship weight and saves roughly 2,000 m2 of containment surface area.
- Lower Boil-Off Rates (BOR): The reduced overall thermal surface area minimizes ambient heat ingress, drastically lowering natural boil-off gas during transit while maintaining full operational flexibility.
- Unit Freight Advantages: The combined design parameters allow the 177,000-cbm vessels to maximize cargo capacity and deliver highly competitive unit freight costs for global charterers.
Bunkering Profile and Propulsion Dynamics
From an energy and fuel perspective, the sister vessels are engineered to boast the lowest fuel consumption and emissions profiles currently available in the commercial market.
To achieve maximum fuel efficiency, the propulsion and machinery array includes:
- WinGD X-DF 2.2 Propulsion: Dual-fuel low-pressure engines equipped with Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) technology, optimizing combustion parameters dynamically based on the gas-to-diesel fuel mix.
- Shaft Generators: PTO (Power Take-Off) systems utilizing the main engine’s rotation to generate auxiliary electrical power, heavily lowering auxiliary fuel demand at sea.
- Full Reliquefaction System: Advanced sub-cooling units to reliquefy excess boil-off gas and return it to the cargo tanks, eliminating the need to vent or burn valuable product.
BW Group: Fleet Strategy and Global Infrastructure
This fleet expansion cements BW LNG’s position as a leading developer and operator of floating gas infrastructure. The business unit controls an active fleet of more than 30 LNG carriers and Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs/FSUs), deploying critical tonnage across regional energy hubs via offices in Oslo, Singapore, Houston, Rio, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Manila.
As a core subsidiary of the maritime conglomerate BW Group, BW LNG sits within the world’s largest gas shipping ecosystem. Backed by a 70-year heritage, the wider parent group controls an active fleet of over 450 vessels, with its combined 200 LNG and LPG ships constituting the largest gas transport fleet globally.
Source: BW Group