MOL Completes Six-Vessel LNG Carrier Newbuilding Program for CNOOC

## MOL Delivers Final LNG Carrier, Closing Out Major CNOOC Newbuilding Program Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has officially completed a six-vessel liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier newbuilding program commissioned by China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), according to Offshore Energy. The milestone was marked by the naming ceremony of the final vessel in the series at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding's yard in China. The completion of this program represents a significant chapter in MOL's LNG fleet expansion strategy and underscores the deepening commercial ties between Japanese shipping operators and Chinese energy majors. CNOOC, one of China's largest state-owned energy enterprises, has been steadily building out its dedicated LNG shipping capacity to support growing domestic demand for cleaner-burning fuels. Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), has established itself as one of the world's leading builders of LNG carriers, and the successful delivery of all six vessels reinforces the yard's reputation for executing large-scale, technically demanding programs on schedule. For MOL, the program's conclusion marks a continued commitment to the LNG shipping sector, where the company has long maintained a prominent position. LNG carriers represent some of the most technically complex and capital-intensive vessels in the global fleet, requiring advanced containment systems and specialized operational expertise. The timing is notable as global LNG trade continues to expand, driven by energy security concerns in Europe and Asia following geopolitical disruptions to traditional gas supply chains. Dedicated, long-term shipping arrangements between producers, traders, and end-users — such as the structure underpinning this MOL-CNOOC program — remain a cornerstone of LNG supply chain reliability. With all six vessels now delivered, MOL's fleet of LNG carriers continues to grow, positioning the company to meet sustained demand for LNG transportation across key trade routes in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.