Purus reaches 10-gas carrier orderbook in Korea with new LNG carrier order

The company disclosed on 3 June that it has placed an order at Hyundai Heavy Industries for a 180,000-m³ LNG carrier, scheduled for delivery in Q4 2027. Purus noted the vessel will be chartered to a leading energy company, though it did not disclose the name.

This latest deal brings Purus’ current tally of newbuildings to 10 gas carriers under construction across Hyundai Group-affiliated shipyards.

Purus highlighted the vessel will feature advanced dual-fuel propulsion and be optimised to utilise natural gas boil-off as fuel. According to the company, this design will offer up to a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions and approximately 85% lower NOx emissions compared with conventional marine fuels.

The newbuild will also incorporate performance-enhancing technologies, including a twin-skeg highly optimised hull design, aimed at improving fuel efficiency and propulsion performance.

According to details on Purus’ website, the company currently oversees a fleet of 17 gas carriers, including vessels under construction. The fleet spans ammonia/LPG, LNG and ethane carriers.

Slowdown in new orders

According to the latest monthly report from Greece-based Xclusiv Shipbrokers, global LNG carrier orders totalled 17 units in the first five months of 2025. As of the end of May, the orderbook-to-fleet ratio stood at 45% by capacity, down from 55% during the same period in 2024.

The average age of the global LNG carrier fleet is 10.5 years, with 31% of vessels now older than 16 years, Xclusiv added.

Meanwhile, fellow Greek shipbroker Intermodal noted in early May that newbuilding prices in the sector remain stable, with a 174,000-m³ vessel currently priced at US$255M.