Greece’s Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) is moving closer to a return to the LNG carrier newbuilding market, lining up its first gas ship orders in roughly seven years. Shipbuilding sources say the Tsakos Group is finalising a deal with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for two firm 174,000 cu m LNG carriers, with options for two more. The ships are expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2028. If confirmed, the order would mark TEN’s first LNG newbuildings since 2019. The New York-listed owner has historically kept a limited exposure to gas shipping, with just two LNG carriers currently in its fleet — units delivered in 2016 and 2022. The move would add a gas dimension to what the company has described as a broad and active fleet renewal programme. TEN currently has over 20 vessels under construction across its crude and product tanker segments and controls a fleet of more than 80 ships overall. South Korean yards continue to dominate LNG carrier ordering, with activity picking up again early this year. Angola’s state energy group Sonangol has booked a single 174,000 cu m unit at HD Hyundai Samho for delivery in June 2028, in a deal priced at about $250.5m and carrying options for two more ships. Elsewhere, Seapeak has ordered two LNG carriers at Samsung Heavy Industries, while Purus returned to the same yard with a pair of LNG newbuildings valued at around $503m. Alpha Gas has also re-entered the market with an order for two LNG carriers at Hanwha Ocean. Most recently, Samsung Heavy Industries disclosed a $507.6m contract for two LNG carriers for a Bermuda-based owner, a deal brokers have linked to JP Morgan-backed Global Meridian Holdings. Those vessels are slated for delivery in early 2029. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsGreece South Korea