PETRONAS LNG Ltd. (PLL) signed a 20-year term charter agreement with MISC Group to incorporate five new 174,000 m³ LNG carriers, an operation aimed at strengthening the stability of the global supply of liquefied natural gas and supporting the energy transition objectives of its customers.
The agreement was signed by Ezran Mahadzir, CEO of PETRONAS LNG Limited, and Hazrin Hasan, Vice President of Gas Assets and Solutions at MISC, reaffirming a strategic collaboration between the two companies within the LNG value chain.
The new ships will be built in China
The five LNG carriers will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd. in Shanghai, China. Commercial operations are expected to begin between 2029 and 2030.
The contract comes after MISC formalized shipbuilding contracts during the first months of 2026, reinforcing its participation in the maritime segment of liquefied natural gas transport.
Likewise, MISC will be responsible for the comprehensive management of the project during the construction phase and will subsequently assume the technical and commercial operation of the vessels after their delivery.
Technology focused on efficiency and lower emissions
The new LNG carriers will incorporate systems designed to improve operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact on LNG shipping routes.
Among the planned technologies are the latest-generation XDF2.1 propulsion system, along with shaft generators that optimize fuel consumption during navigation. The vessels will also feature onboard reliquefaction systems capable of managing the gas evaporated during transport.
These solutions meet the increasingly demanding environmental and operational standards within the international maritime and energy industry.
PETRONAS strengthens its long-term global LNG supply
Datuk Adif Zulkifli, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Gas and Marine Business at PETRONAS, noted that the addition of these new vessels will allow the group to expand its integrated capabilities in the global LNG market.
He explained that the alliance with MISC leverages the Malaysian company’s maritime expertise to ensure a reliable and sustained long-term supply of liquefied natural gas.
Furthermore, the project seeks to strengthen PETRONAS’ logistical resilience in a context of growing international demand for LNG and greater demands related to energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
The operation also strengthens Malaysia’s role within the Asian maritime and energy business, especially in the large-capacity liquefied natural gas transport segment.
Source and photo: Petronas