Avenir LNG has begun construction of a new 20,000-cbm LNG carrier and bunkering vessel.

The keel laying of Hull No. S-1123 took place on 27 March, signalling the formal start of construction on the vessel under its newbuild programme.

Avenir LNG is a leading supplier of LNG and liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) as marine fuel. It is the owner of five LNG bunkering vessels, with two newbuildings under construction.

Of the five vessels currently in operation, the 20,000-cbm Avenir Achievement, the 7,500-cbm Avenir Advantage and 7,500-cbm Avenir Accolade are chartered to Shell, Petronas LNG, and New Fortress Energy, respectively.

The 7,500-cbm Avenir Aspiration was chartered by LNG Shipping S.p.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Eni, in a multi-year time charter commencing in 2025.

And the Avenir Ascension, also with a 7,500-cbm capacity, is chartered by Avenir's London-based physical LNG trading division, Avenir Supply and Trading.

According to Avenir LNG, it has two as-yet-unnamed ships under construction with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd (CIMC SOE), both with a 20,000-cbm capacity. They are scheduled to be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, respectively, with the former having been chartered by Vitol.