Benelux Overseas has added an extra midsize gas carrier to its orderbook.
The Greek shipping company has contracted CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding to construct a 48,000-cbm LPG ship.
The state-owned yard will deliver the vessel during the first half of 2027.
Several shipbuilding sources said the newbuilding is an option vessel held by the company at the shipyard.
In November, Benelux commissioned CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong to build two midsize gas carriers, or MGCs, with an option for an additional ship.
While a price for the latest Benelux vessel has yet to emerge, the first two ships in the series were each reported to cost in the mid-$60m range.
They are scheduled to be delivered at the end of 2026 and early 2027.
Shipbuilding sources said the Marine Design & Research Institute of China, a subsidiary of CSSC, designed the 48,000-cbm ships.
The LPG ships will run on conventional marine fuel.
A source close to the shipyard confirmed Benelux’s order.
Gas players believe the growth in the ammonia trade and LPG market have encouraged Benelux to place the order.
They also think the newbuildings are part of the company’s fleet expansion and renewal programme. It has two gas carriers built in 1991.
The LPG carriers at CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong are possibly Benelux’s first newbuilding deal in China.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network lists Benelux with a fleet of nine vessels that consists of two MR tankers, one VLGC and two MGCs, with the rest being LPG carriers of 15,000 cbm and 9,100 cbm.
VesselsValue shows Benelux recently sold the 9,100-cbm Gas Ionian (built 2012) to BW Epic Kosan. The purchase price was not disclosed.
BW Epic Kosan has taken delivery of the LPG carrier and renamed the ship Gas Diamond. The company has been contacted for comment.
CSSC Guangzhou Huangpu Wenchong is better known for building container ships and multipurpose vessels.
The state-owned shipyard made its debut in the gas carrier segment in 2019 when domestic company Tianjin Southwest Maritime ordered a single 9,500-cbm multi-gas ship.
The Chinese yard has since delivered two multi-gas carriers and three 5,000-cbm LPG ships to Tianjin Southwest.
