Sonangol Expands LNG Fleet with New HD Hyundai Order
Angola’s state energy company Sonangol is accelerating its expansion into LNG shipping with a fresh order for two large LNG carriers at HD Hyundai Samho, strengthening its long-term presence in the gas transport sector, Splash 247 reports. The contract, placed through parent group HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, covers two 174,000-cbm LNG carriers with delivery scheduled by September 2029. The deal is valued at about KRW770.2bn ($511m).
Earlier this year, Sonangol already ordered another LNG carrier of the same size at the same yard, expected for delivery in mid-2028. Together, the agreements bring the company’s current LNG newbuilding programme at HD Hyundai Samho to three vessels. Sonangol presently operates a modest LNG fleet of five carriers, three of which were built in 2011 by Hanwha Ocean. The rest of its shipping portfolio remains largely focused on crude and product tankers, highlighting LNG as a clear growth direction.
For HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, the order forms part of a broader wave of recent contracts that also includes LPG carriers and product tankers, bringing the group’s latest batch of secured deals to 14 vessels worth roughly $1.33bn.
