Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited is set to increase its liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation capacity by more than half a million cubic meters over the next three years as it strengthens its position in the global supply chain for cleaner energy.

The expansion follows the award of contracts by NLNG’s affiliate, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), for the construction of three new LNG carriers under the company’s fleet renewal and replacement programme.

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The vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2029, will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited.

Each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, bringing the combined additional carrying capacity to 522,000 cubic meters.

According to the company, the vessels will be equipped with advanced X-DF propulsion technology, which offers significantly improved fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared with older LNG carrier designs.

NLNG stated that the newbuild vessels represent a major milestone in its strategy to modernise its maritime assets and support cleaner, more efficient and future-ready operations.

The company added that the investment aligns with its long-term commitment to sustainability, operational excellence and compliance with evolving global environmental standards.

Under the arrangement, the vessels will be chartered by Nigeria LNG Limited and managed by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited, which provides integrated maritime and shipping services to the company.

NLNG explained that the new carriers will comply with global emissions regulations and support the company’s efforts to maintain its Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 Level 5 rating, the highest reporting standard under the international methane emissions framework.

The investment comes at a time when global demand for natural gas continues to grow as countries seek lower-carbon energy alternatives to support energy security and emissions reduction goals.

Industry analysts note that modern LNG carriers equipped with advanced propulsion systems are increasingly becoming critical assets in the global transition toward cleaner fuels.

With the addition of the three vessels, NLNG is expected to strengthen its ability to reliably deliver LNG cargoes to international markets while enhancing fleet efficiency, reducing emissions and consolidating Nigeria’s role as a key supplier in the global LNG industry.

The development also underscores the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its contribution to global energy security while positioning itself to capture emerging opportunities in the evolving international gas market.