Avenir LNG has announced the launch of a 20,000-cbm newbuild LNG carrier and bunkering vessel at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) shipyard in Qidong, Jiangsu province on 12 October.

Named Avenir Allegiance and assigned hull number S1124, the vessel is the second in the company’s current newbuild series to be launched at the Chinese yard.

"This marks another significant step forward in the vessel’s construction journey and an exciting milestone as we continue to expand our fleet and strengthen our commitment to delivering reliable and efficient LNG solutions," Avenir LNG said.

As previously reported, the keel-laying ceremony for hull number S1124 took place on 24 July, marking the formal start of the vessel's construction at CIMC SOE. And the keel of Avenir Ambition, designated hull number S1123 — another 20,000-cbm LNG carrier and bunkering vessel — was laid on 27 March, also at the Qidong yard, with its launch taking place on 20 July.

Founded in 2017, Avenir LNG operates a fleet of LNG bunker vessels and distributes LNG to the maritime and industrial sectors. 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.

The two 20,000-cbm-capacity ships under construction with CIMC SOE, Avenir Ambition and Avenir Allegiance, are scheduled to be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, respectively, with the former having been chartered by Vitol.