Celsius and Basalt’s two-vessel LNG fleet growing by one, possibly more

UK-based investment firm Basalt Infrastructure Partners has signed a deal to add a newbuild liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to the existing LNG platform owned by its joint venture (JV) with Denmark’s Celsius Shipping.

The 180,000 cubic-meter (cbm) vessel will be the third to join the Vanadis LNG platform, comprising a carrier duo boasting the same capacity as the new vessel. The ships, Celsius Copenhagen and Celsius Carolina are managed and operated by Celsius.

Furthermore, the UK player said it expects to continue expanding the fleet of its JV over the coming months. In addition to Vanadis LNG, which was formed in late August 2024, the two players are partners in another JV called Freyja LNG, consisting of seven carriers.

“We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Celsius with the addition of what will be Basalt’s sixth newbuild LNG vessel. We continue to view LNG as an important transitional fuel and key to supporting security of supply in global energy markets,” noted John Hanna, Partner and Head of Europe at Basalt.

Like Celsius Copenhagen and Celsius Carolina, built in 2020 and 2021, respectively, the latest addition to the platform will be built at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Korean shipyard. It will feature an X-DF propulsion system, which is said to offer fuel efficiency and associated low emissions. 

The new vessel is expected to be delivered in 2027 and will be employed on a long-term, fixed-time charter to Japan’s JERA. Celsius confirmed the order of its 21st 180,000 LNG carrier with the Japanese player in January 2025.

At the end of last month, JERA inked a three-year LNG supply deal with ADNOC Gas worth $450 million. The gas will be sourced from the UAE firm’s Das Island liquefaction facility.