COSCO Shipping Energy has moved to expand its LNG shipping footprint， ordering four newbuildings at Jiangnan Shipyard in a deal worth around $953m.

The publicly listed energy shipping arm of China’s state-owned COSCO Shipping Group said its indirectly owned subsidiary， Future Ocean LNG Investment， signed the contract with Jiangnan for the 175，000 cum units， with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2030.

The company said the order would strengthen its LNG fleet， improve its ability to market and operate gas tonnage independently， and support its long-term growth strategy as demand for LNG transportation continues to rise.

Market sources indicate the vessels are being lined up against long-term employment with energy major Shell， continuing a trend of charter-backed LNG orders.

The latest contract adds to COSCO Shipping Energy’s growing involvement in LNG shipping. While the company is best known for its large crude and product tanker fleet of more than 150 vessels， it has steadily expanded its gas shipping interests through direct ownership and joint ventures.

Among its LNG interests are partnerships with Japanese owner Mitsui OSK Lines， including vessels linked to QatarEnergy’s massive LNG export expansion programme.

The new order also reinforces Jiangnan Shipyard’s emergence as one of the leading beneficiaries of the latest LNG carrier ordering cycle.

The Chinese yard has secured at least 10 LNG carrier orders so far this year. In January， Singapore-based owner Eastern Pacific Shipping selected Jiangnan for two units. Later the same month， Jiangnan won another contract for four LNG carriers from Minsheng Financial Leasing. Those vessels are also slated for long-term charter to Shell Singapore， with commercial management entrusted to Shandong Marine Energy and technical management handled by Shell.